Analysis of Cocaine and Crack Cocaine via Thin Layer Chromatography Coupled to Easy Ambient Sonic-Spray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

Cocaine and crack cocaine are usually seized with a great diversity of adulterants, such as benzocaine, lidocaine, caffeine, and procaine. The forensic identification of cocaine in these drug mixtures is normally performed using colorimetric testing kits, but these tests may suffer from interferences providing false-positive or false-negatives. In this work, we describe the use of thin layer chromatography coupled to easy sonic-spray ambient ionization mass spectrometry (TLC/EASI-MS) for rapid and secure analysis of cocaine and crack cocaine. Fifteen cocaine samples were analyzed, and all of them revealed positive TLC/EASI-MS results for cocaine, but other drugs and adulterants were also detected such as lidocaine, caffeine, benzocaine, lactose, benzoylecgonine, and ecgonidine. False positives and false negatives, as judged by the TLC Rf values, were identified via on-spot characterization by EASI-MS. The TLC/EASI-MS combination seems therefore to provide an appropriate technique for secure forensic investigations of illicit drugs

Applicability of ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography‐quadrupole‐time of flight mass spectrometry for cocaine profiling

“…[32][33][34][35][36] Our previous experiments revealed that the most common adulterants are levamisole, caffeine, lidocaine, phenacetine, and hydroxyzine. [32][33][34][35][36] Our previous experiments revealed that the most common adulterants are levamisole, caffeine, lidocaine, phenacetine, and hydroxyzine.…”

“…Various adulterants are added to cocaine to increase the volume of the drug. [32][33][34][35][36] Our previous experiments revealed that the most common adulterants are levamisole, caffeine, lidocaine, phenacetine, and hydroxyzine. All the adulterants were well separated with other impurities as shown in Figure 4.…”

LSD and 9,10‐dihydro‐LSD Analyses in Street Drug Blotter Samples via Easy Ambient Sonic‐Spray Ionization MassSpectrometry (EASI‐MS)

“…EASI has already been successfully tested with different analytes in different matrices and in various forensic applications such as the aging of ink writings on paper surfaces , authenticity of perfumes , identification of fake banknote and vehicle documents , and analyses of m‐CPP and ecstasy tablets . EASI has also been coupled to thin layer chromatography (TLC) to study the presence of 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), methamphetamine, 3,4‐methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDEA), 3,4‐methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), amphetamine, caffeine, and lidocaine in street ecstasy tablets.…”

Mass spectrometry made easy: The quest for simplicity

“…EASI and its sister techniques have been used in a variety of applications; for (1) the direct analysis of drug, pills as exemplified for sildenafil (Figure a), and for the characterization of TLC spots, as exemplified for cocaine (Figure b), for the quality control and certification of geographical origin of olive oils; for direct fingerprinting control of forgery in perfumes; for the nearly instantaneous characterization of the composition of cationic surfactants and quality control of fabric softeners; for the analysis of biodiesel and biodiesel/petrodiesel blends in combination with high performance thin layer chromatography; for fingerprinting analysis of propolis; for the direct analysis of fuels; for the instantaneous characterization of vegetable oils via TAG and FFA profiles, in combination with selective sequesters based on molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP) for the analysis of phenothiazines in urine (Figure d); for the fingerprinting and aging of ink in forensic investigations; as a rapid and secure screening method for street illegal drugs; to characterize noble and endangered woods; for the direct monitoring of known and unknown (or unexpected) drug degradation products as a function of time and manufacturing process, as exemplified for enalapril maleate (Figure c), via thermal imprinting for the analysis of TAG profiles in meat matrices; for petroleomic studies of ‘untouched’ crude oil samples; for the forensic investigation of counterfeit money bills; and, in its Venturi version, for real‐time analysis of brain tissue . These are illustrative of the ‘whole world’ (see cover picture) application of modern ‘simpler’ MS.…”