Determination of 4-alkyl 2,5 dimethoxy-amphetamine derivatives by capillary electrophoresis with mass spectrometry detection from urine samples

CE-MS in Forensic Sciences with Focus on Forensic Toxicology

“…For this reason, CE-MS, differently from LC-MS, has proved its tolerance to the use of inorganic buffers. Last but not least, the use of chiral selectors in solution (mainly CDs), although with some adjustments, can also be compatible with CE-MS. With specific regards to the variety of forensic applications herein reviewed, it is worthy to report some examples of improvement of the analytical performances: (i) analysis time can markedly be reduced in CE, as reported by Simó et al, who compared a long-lasting HPLC analysis (40 min) versus a rapid CZE-TOF-MS lasting only 8 min [163]; (ii) sensitivity has proved to be similar, and sometimes higher, when comparing CE-MS to other hyphenated techniques [145,165]; (iii) CE separation, moreover, offers the chance to analyze a greater variety of analyte categories, and particularly charged molecules such as glucuronides of drugs and hormones, which are of the highest forensic toxicological interest [91,118]; (iv) finally, separation buffers that can be used in CE separations are of a greater variety than the ones used in LC-MS, as was reported by several authors [31,32,50,[68][69][70].…”

“…In particular, Somsen et al reported the feasibility of introducing nonvolatile buffers and surfactants into ESI by testing the direct infusion of mebeverine [50]. Also, the research group of Nieddu proposed the separation of amphetamines congeners in urine or plasma extracts by CE-ESI-MS using a nonvolatile buffer electrolytes without sacrificing analytical sensitivity, with LODs ranging from 3.98 to 4.64 ng ml −1 in urine and from 11 to 23 ng ml −1 in plasma [31,32,70]. Moreover, Gottardo et al reported the effect on the separation and mass spectrometry response of a mixture of MDA, MDMA, methadone, cocaine, morphine, codeine, and 6-MAM by comparison of three nonvolatile BGEs (phosphate, borate, and Tris buffers) versus a typical volatile buffer (ammonium formate) [68].…”

“…The methylenedioxy derivatives of amphetamine represent one of the first "designer drugs" appeared in the market. Nieddu et al reported two methods for simultaneous screening and quantification of these analytes in urine samples after SPE extraction, using CZE-ESI-ion trap MS [70,102]. Interestingly, in the first of the two CZE methods, the authors used a separation electrolyte containing a relatively high concentration of inorganic ions (i.e., 10 mmol l −1 sodium phosphate monobasic), whereas in the second method, they used a more traditional volatile buffer composition (i.e., 50 mmol l −1 ammonium acetate).…”

Identification of Designer Drug 2C-E (4-Ethyl-2, 5-Dimethoxyphenethylamine) in Urine Following a Drug Overdose

“…Many diff erent techniques have been developed to screen for these newer designer drugs, including capillary electrophoresismass spectrometry (9)(10)(11)(12), capillary electrophoresis coupled with a diode array detector (13), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (14,15), and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) (16). In more recent years, LC-MS in tandem (LC-MS/MS) has become the detection test of choice due to its ability to separate and identify small molecules with similar structures in one run (17).…”

Recent advances in the applications of CE to forensic sciences (2005–2007)

“…A simple method for the analysis of methylenedioxyderivatives of amphetamine in urine samples by using CE-ESI-IT MS has been reported by Nieddu et al [34]. Sample pretreatment required SPE on C18 extraction columns; separation was carried out by CZE in10 mM phosphate buffer at pH 4.5.…”