Case report: Identification of AP-238 and 2-fluorodeschloroketamine in internet available powder samples sold as bucinnazine.
Forensic science international – July 01, 2023
Source: PubMed
Summary
Internet-purchased bucinnazine, a new synthetic opioid, often contains dangerous substitutes. Two white powders, initially examined by Microscopy and then analyzed with DART-MS and GC-MS, revealed concerning mislabeling. One sample, sold as bucinnazine, was 78.0% pure 2-fluoro-deschloroketamine. The other, also marketed as bucinnazine, was 88.9% pure AP-238. This highlights significant public health risks, as consumers unknowingly ingest different, potent new synthetic opioids, posing serious safety concerns.
Abstract
Novel synthetic opioids (NSOs) are a class of opioid agonists that include analogs of fentanyl and structurally distinct non-fentanyl compounds normally used as standalone products, heroin adulterants, or constituents of counterfeit pain pills. Most NSOs are not currently scheduled in the U.S., are predominantly illegally synthesized, and sold on the Darknet. Among them, the cinnamylpiperazine derivatives such as bucinnazine (AP-237), AP-238, and 2-methyl-AP-237 and the arylcyclohexylamine derivatives, analogs of ketamine, such as 2-fluoro-deschloroketamine (2 F-DCK) have appeared in several monitoring systems. Two white powders purchased on the internet as bucinnazine were first analyzed with polarized light microscopy followed by direct analysis in real time-mass spectrometry (DART-MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Both powders were white crystals with no other significant microscopic properties. The DART-MS analysis showed the presence of 2-fluorodeschloroketamine in powder #1, and AP-238 in powder #2. Identification was confirmed by GC-MS. The purity of each substance was 78.0% for powder #1, and 88.9% for powder #2, respectively. The toxicological risk associated with the misuse of NSOs still needs further study. The absence of bucinnazine and the presence of different active compounds in internet purchased samples raises public health and safety concerns.