Rapid analysis of abused drugs using nanostructured silicon surface assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry

Abstract

This study developed a rapid, sensitive, and matrix-free method for the determination of amphetamine (AMP), methamphetamine (MA), codeine (COD), morphine (MOR), and ketamine (KET) using nanostructured silicon surface assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (nSi-MS). The nanostructured silicon (nSi) chip used in this study was created by employing the metal-assisted etching process. Drug standard tests were applied to the nSi chip platform to evaluate the nSi-MS performance, including detection sensitivity, limit of detection, linearity, and repeatability. Real urine samples obtained from drug addict detainees were directly applied to the nSi chip for drug analysis. By observing the nSi-MS spectra, the target drug peaks can be identified; and an antibody pull-down assay was performed to confirm the specificity of the detected targets. nSi-MS drug quantification was assayed, yielding comparable results with those from using the GC-MS approach. The advantages of applying nSi-MS to analyze AMP, MA, COD, MOR, and KET in the urine of addicts are simple, extremely small urine volumes (∼10 μL), and a fast analysis procedure (<15 minutes).

Preparation of nanostructured silicon surface for mass spectrometry analysis by an all-wet fabrication process using electroless metal deposition and metal assisted etching

“…MS analysis methods. In addition to analysis of the model peptide sample (des-Arg 9 -Bradykinin) presented in this study, other samples, such as proteins [12][13][14], peptides [1,2,7,11], polymers [15,16], tissue [17,18] and abuse drugs [19] can be analyzed using the nSi-MS platform. Investigation of various small molecules to the nanostructured silicon surface interactions are detail discussed in our recent published paper [20].…”

Analytical strategies used to identify the readers of histone modifications: A review

“…MS coupled with pull-down approach is a simple and unbiased bioanalytical tool that allows affinity-based analysis of protein-protein and protein-ligand interactions [24][25][26][27]. In a typical analysis, proteins are affinity purified and separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel (SDS-PAGE) followed by trypsin digestion.…”

Development of Nanomaterials for SALDI‐MS Analysis in Forensics

“…It was also reported for silicon wafers that increased surface roughness reduced thermal conductivity by confining the heat near the surface, reducing the laser energy required for effective analyte desorption 33. Nanostructured silicon chips have been used in the MS analysis of urine samples from alleged drug addicts 34. The supernatant of the centrifuged urine sample was directly pipetted onto the silicon chip and analyzed by MS. Several illicit drugs including amphetamine, methamphetamine, codeine, morphine and ketamine were successfully detected via this rapid, simple and cost‐effective technique.…”