Dried blood spots combined to an UPLC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of drugs of abuse in forensic toxicology.

A method for the simultaneous determination of 11 illicit drugs, using the dried blood spot (DBS) sampling technique combined with the UPLC-MS/MS technology was developed to study its applicability within the forensic toxicology. The DBS samples, prepared from a blood volume of 50μL and using the Whatman® BFC 180 bloodstain cards, were extracted with a methanol/acetonitrile mixture. The chromatographic separation was performed using an Acquity UPLC HSS T3 column (100mm×2.

Validation and application of an UPLC-MS/MS method for the quantification of synthetic cannabinoids in urine samples and analysis of seized materials from the Portuguese market.

An UPLC-MS/MS method using ESI+ionization and MRM was developed and fully validated according to international guidelines for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of nine synthetic cannabinoids and/or their metabolites in urine samples (1mL). Prior to extraction the samples were subjected to an enzymatic hydrolysis using β-glucuronidase followed by a SPE procedure using Oasis(®) HLB 3cc (60mg) columns. The chromatographic separation was performed with an Acquity UPLC(®) HSS T3 (50mm×2.

Validated method for the determination of misoprostol acid in whole blood by ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Misoprostol is a pharmaceutical synthetic compound, analog of prostaglandin E1, frequently used as an abortifacient in not medically supervised or self-induced abortions, particularly in countries with restrictive abortion laws representing a serious public health problem. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a sensitive analytical method for the determination of misoprostol acid in whole blood samples. The samples were prepared by SPE and the chromatographic separation was performed by UPLC-MS/MS using ESI- and MRM mode with an Acquity UPLC(®) BEH C18 (50mm×2.

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of THC, 11-hydroxy-THC and 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC in whole blood by ultra-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry.

A qualitative and quantitative analytical method was developed for the simultaneous determination of Δ(9) -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), 11-hydroxy-Δ(9) -tetrahydrocannabinol (11-OH-THC) and l1-nor-9-carboxy-Δ(9) -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH) in whole blood. The samples were prepared by solid-phase extraction followed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS/MS) analysis using positive ion electrospray ionization and multiple reaction monitoring. The chromatographic separation was performed with an Acquity UPLC® HSS T3 (50 × 2.

Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of illicit drugs and medicines in preserved oral fluid.

A qualitative and quantitative analytical method was developed for the simultaneous determination of 24 illicit drugs and medicines, in preserved oral fluid samples collected with the StatSure Saliva Sampler collection device. The samples were prepared by liquid-liquid extraction followed by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) analysis. The chromatographic separation was performed with an Atlantis T3 (100 x 2.