Detection of Alternative Drugs for Illegal Injection Based on Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

Lin Bao,Yuping Liu,Xuanyu Sha,Siqingaowa Han,Dianyang Lin,Wuliji Hasi,Hang Zhao

doi:10.1155/2019/7458371

Abstract

Promethazine and scopolamine are two major components of a drug commonly used as a substitute for heroin addiction but with its own potential for abuse. Here, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy experiments were combined with density functional theory computations of the Raman frequencies of promethazine. The enhancement of the SERS substrate was optimized by contrast detection of silver nanoparticles. The optimized substrate was used to detect scopolamine, promethazine and their mixtures. Several mixtures of different concentrations were detected and analyzed. The approach of rapid identification and monitoring of drugs will become an important tool in the detection and control of illicit drug use.

Highlights

Heroin is one of the most common opioid substances used by drug addicts. e cognitive impairment of heroin addicts is mainly related to memory function, impulse control, selective attention, processing speed of cognitive transfer information, and so on [1,2,3]
BSP abuse was more likely to damage cortical neurons than heroin, and the recovery of gray matter in the brain was slower than in heroindependent groups. is suggests that the damage to cortical neurons caused by BSP abuse is difficult to recover in a short time. is new type of drug with potential for abuse and addiction, if not detected in time, is reported and included international control that makes it possible for such drugs to enter a range of international drug trade activities
Quantum chemical calculation of promethazine was performed using the density functional theory. e B3LYP hybrid function combined with the 6–31 g (d, p) basis set was used to optimize the molecular structure, and the theoretical Raman spectra were calculated. e optimized structure of promethazine is shown in Figure 2. e Raman spectra of promethazine solid powder and SERS of the aqueous solution were collected and compared with the calculated theoretical Raman spectra of promethazine (Figure 3)

Summary

Introduction

Heroin is one of the most common opioid substances used by drug addicts. e cognitive impairment of heroin addicts is mainly related to memory function, impulse control, selective attention, processing speed of cognitive transfer information, and so on [1,2,3]. Is new type of drug with potential for abuse and addiction, if not detected in time, is reported and included international control that makes it possible for such drugs to enter a range of international drug trade activities. Our group has qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed scopolamine [8] and identified its Raman peaks.

Results

Conclusion