Simultaneous measurement of cocaine, cocaethylene, their metabolites, and "crack" pyrolysis products by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Abstract

We developed a sensitive and specific assay for the simultaneous measurement of cocaine, cocaethylene, six of their metabolites, and anhydroecgonine methyl ester, a pyrolysis product, in biological fluids. The assay involves solid-phase extraction columns containing a copolymeric bonded phase for isolation of cocaine analytes, derivatization with N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide and 10 g/L trimethylchlorosilane, and measurement with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry operating in the selected-ion monitoring mode. Detector responses for analytes were linear over a concentration range of 3.1-1000 micrograms/L. The limits of detection were approximately 1 microgram/L for cocaine, ecgonine methyl ester, and benzoylecgonine and 3-6 micrograms/L for the remaining analytes. Hydrolysis of cocaine and artifact formation of anhydroecogonine methyl ester during extraction and assay was < 1%. Cocaine and its derivatives appear in different proportions in plasma, saliva, and urine according to the biological fluid and time of measurement. Each biological fluid provides unique information on the disposition of cocaine in human subjects.