Detection and accumulation of morphine in hair using GC–MS

Abstract

BackgroundThe detection of drugs ingested by humans by analyzing hair samples for their presence is now one of the imperative techniques in the field of forensic toxicology. A number of cases pertaining to the abuse of opium or its derivatives have been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act over the last few years. ObjectiveThis study was conducted with the objective of detecting the levels of morphine accumulated in the human hair over a period of time. MethodHair samples were collected at different time intervals from 40 opium abusers undergoing treatment at a de-addiction centre. The samples were first collected on the day of an individual’s admission to the centre followed by a second round of collection 45days after the date of admission and finally, 90days after the date of admission. After each round of sample collection, the hair samples were cleaned and digested, followed by extraction of morphine and its quantification via gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). ResultAll the samples analyzed showed the presence of detectable levels of morphine, even 90days after ingestion by the abusers. The concentration of morphine ranged from 0.26 to 2.2ng/mg (mean, 1.33ng/mg) and the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.1ng/mg. ConclusionIt can be concluded that once morphine gets incorporated into the hair, it will remain there for at least three months. Applications of drug testing in hair range from proving chronic intoxication in an individual, helping in solving drug-facilitated crimes and child custody cases, in conducting postmortem drug screening, workplace drug testing, etc.