Target analysis of psychoactive drugs in oral fluid by QuEChERS extraction and LC-MS/MS.
Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis July 15, 2024 Ettore Ferrari Júnior, Victor Souza Bitencourt, Ágatha Beatriz Mariano de Souza et al. 9 citations
A validated method using a modified QuEChERS extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry can detect 51 psychoactive substances and screen for 22 more in oral fluid from electronic dance music party attendees. Storage at -20°C without buffer preserved substances for up to 72 hours with less than 15% loss. Analysis of 62 real samples found MDMA and MDA in 27 samples (concentrations up to 829 ng/mL), cocaine and metabolites in 8 samples, and methamphetamine in 8 samples. Eutylone was detected in two cases where attendees reported taking 'ecstasy.' Comparison with self-reports showed that illicit drug use is often underreported and attendees are frequently unaware of what they consume.