A New GC-MS Method for the Determination of Five Amphetamines in Human Hair

Abstract

A new gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous identification and quantitation of amphetamine (AP), methamphetamine (MA), 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), and 3,4-methylenedioxyethamphetamine (MDEA) in hair is proposed. Hair was hydrolyzed in 1M NaOH at 40~ subjected to extraction with 4:1 (v/v) methylene chloride/isopropanol, and derivatized with pentafluoropropionic anhydride (PFPA) and ethyl acetate. Calibration curves for the five analytes were constructed over the concentration range 0.5-25.0 ng/mg, using their pentadeuterated analogues as internal standards. The limits of detection and quantitation obtained were 0.045 and 0.151 ng/mg for AP; 0.014 and 0.048 ng/mg for MA; 0.013 and 0.043 ng/mg for MDA; 0.017 and 0.057 ng/mg for MDMA; and 0.007 and 0.023 ng/mg for MDEA. The accuracy of the method was found to be in the range _* 9%, and the coefficients of variation were less than 8%.Overall, 24 hair specimens tested positive for one or more amphetamines, with average concentrations of 0.88 ng/mg for AP, 10.14 ng/mg for MA, 1.30 ng/mg for MDA, and 8.87 ng/mg for MDMA. Only one specimen tested positive for MDEA with a concentration of 0.84 ng/mg.

Simultaneous analysis of six amphetamines and analogues in hair, blood and urine by LC-ESI-MS/MS

“…Even with sensitive techniques like HPLC-fluorescence [9], GC-MS with PFPA or TFAA derivatization [10], LC-APCI-MS [11], or LC-MS/MS [12,13], the detection of MDMA in hair with 20 mg sample at a concentration of 22 AE 2.5 pg/mg hair has not been described yet.…”

Hair MDMA Samples Are Consistent with Reported Ecstasy Use: Findings from a Study Investigating Effects of Ecstasy on Mood and Memory

“…The VIFM has performed research to determine the extent to which their decontamination procedures may remove inappropriate concentrations of drug from the hair, leading to false-negative or false-positive results. Based on their research and other published decontamination methods, the VIFM uses relatively standard decontamination procedures [17] . Threshold detection and quantification values have also been established to ensure appropriate reporting of results.…”

A rapid method for the extraction, enantiomeric separation and quantification of amphetamines in hair

“…Hair analysis is recognized as a useful diagnostic tool for the study of use/abuse of drugs over a long time period, depending on hair length [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. Sample pretreatment for amphetamines analysis in hair is generally performed by the dissolution of hair matrix with sodium hydroxide [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14], followed by liquid-liquid, solid-liquid or solidphase-micro-extraction; nevertheless, the complete dissolution of hair matrix can produce a dirty extract and therefore a high background effect. In the case of subsequent analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), derivatisations with various chemicals (e.g.…”