Project Title
Qualitative Detection of Illicit Drug Use in Hair Samples via GC/MS Analysis
Faculty Mentor(s) Name(s)
Dr. Catrena Lisse
Abstract
For decades literature has shown that hair analysis is one of the most common methods to test for substance abuse, one which allows for drugs to be detected after significant periods of time. An experimental method for qualitative analysis of drugs in hair samples was developed and validated. Hair samples were decontaminated with dichloromethane and cut into small pieces before extraction with methanol. After heating, the extracts were divided into two parts; both were evaporated to dryness. One half of the extract was derivatized using N-Methyl-bis-trifluoroacetamide (MBTFA) for analysis of amphetamines, and the other half was derivatized using N-methyl-N-t-butyldimethylsilyl trifluoroacetamide (MTBSTFA) for analysis of other illicit drugs. Deuterated methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA-d5), deuterated oxazepam (oxazepam- d5), and deuterated phencylidine (PCP-d5) were used as the internal standards. Standard solutions were prepared by mixing all three internal standards yielding a final concentration of 25µg/mL in methanol for each drug. The samples were analyzed using electron-impact gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) for analysis of commonly abused drugs. The experimental design of this research project and preliminary results will be presented.
Qualitative Detection of Illicit Drug Use in Hair Samples via GC/MS Analysis
For decades literature has shown that hair analysis is one of the most common methods to test for substance abuse, one which allows for drugs to be detected after significant periods of time. An experimental method for qualitative analysis of drugs in hair samples was developed and validated. Hair samples were decontaminated with dichloromethane and cut into small pieces before extraction with methanol. After heating, the extracts were divided into two parts; both were evaporated to dryness. One half of the extract was derivatized using N-Methyl-bis-trifluoroacetamide (MBTFA) for analysis of amphetamines, and the other half was derivatized using N-methyl-N-t-butyldimethylsilyl trifluoroacetamide (MTBSTFA) for analysis of other illicit drugs. Deuterated methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA-d5), deuterated oxazepam (oxazepam- d5), and deuterated phencylidine (PCP-d5) were used as the internal standards. Standard solutions were prepared by mixing all three internal standards yielding a final concentration of 25µg/mL in methanol for each drug. The samples were analyzed using electron-impact gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) for analysis of commonly abused drugs. The experimental design of this research project and preliminary results will be presented.