Rapid Screening of Methamphetamine in Hair by Ambient Ionization Mass Spectrometry (AIMS)

Abstract

Ambient ionization mass spectrometry (AIMS) is an emerging onsite rapid detection technique that has been applied in the area of public security. AIMS measurements of samples with complex matrices are characterized by poor reproducibility and complexity. Low reproducibility and complex background cause imprecise screening for trace drugs in hair. In this work, a rapid screening method of methamphetamine in hair is proposed. Firstly, the generalized weighted robust principal component analysis (GWRPCA) algorithm is used to remove background and extract the analytical signals. The similarity scores between the analytical signals and standard mass spectrum of methamphetamine were calculated based upon an improved Pearson’s correlation coefficient combined with the preset matching threshold to achieve rapid screening of methamphetamine in hair. The results show that this method accurately screens for this drug hair and identifies actual false positives with 100% accuracy when the analyte threshold was 0.1 ng/mg and the matching threshold was 0.6. This study provides technical support for the rapid screening for drug abuse by AIMS.