Abstract
A method for the analysis of urine for the heroin abuse is described. The analytical procedure uses solid-phase extraction (SPE), gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). It allows extraction, derivatization and analysis of 6-MAM and Morphine from urine. After solid-phase extraction was complete, the eluate was selectively derivatized with N-Methyltrimethylsilyltrifluoroacetamide (MSTFA). Analysis was performed using a GC/MS system operating in full scan mode. The mass spectrum of the derivatized metabolites was searched manually against reference libraries for positive identification and the retention time checked against that of the standard. This procedure has increased both the amount and the reliability of information given to analyst. The system has been in routine operation processing 100-150 urine samples per week. The results of the analysis of standard reference material and actual samples are presented and discussed. The developed method is sensitive enough to assess relevant 6-MAM and morphine levels in urine for forensic investigations.
Highlights
Heroin and its metabolites are both regulated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) of Jordan
Samples were presumed positive by immunoassays at a cutoff concentration equal to 300ng morphine/6-MAM per ml urine or at concentrations exceeded the threshold proposed by DEA
The selectivity and sensitivity of gas chromatography (GC)-MS analysis implemented in this study has achieved the correlation with the immunoassay findings and the analysis results confirmed the positive immunoassay screening results for heroin -metabolite in urine. 78 out of 100 urine samples presumed positive by immunoassays were confirmed positive by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. 22 samples with negative immunoassays were reported negative and not tested further
Summary
Heroin and its metabolites are both regulated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) of Jordan. The presence of illicit drugs or their metabolites in urine is an evidence of the substance intake.[1,2] Heroin as one of the most widely abused drugs, rapidly metabolized to 6-monoacetylmorphine (6-MAM) once inside the human body. This specific heroin metabolite 6-MAM is detected at a higher concentration usually within 2 to 4 hours, and after six hours, has not been detected in the urine. Morphine is a naturally occurring alkaloid in opioid plants, have long been used as a drug and is a powerful narcotic analgesic and highly addictive.[5,6] Analysis of morphine in urine has been established as an effective approach for monitoring heroin intake.[7]
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