Journal of analytical toxicology
October 12, 2020
Kelly Francisco da Cunha, Karina Diniz Oliveira, Marilyn A Huestis et al.
73 citations
A new LC-MS-MS method can detect 104 drugs of abuse, including synthetic cannabinoids, cathinones, fentanyl analogues, and other psychoactive compounds, in oral fluid samples collected with a Quantisal™ device. The method uses a 13.5-minute run and achieves limits of detection as low as 0.05 ng/mL for most analytes, though some require higher concentrations. Matrix effects are generally around 60%, and recoveries range from 47.2% to 127%. Drug stability is best at -20°C, but even frozen, some synthetic cannabinoids degrade more than 20% over 90 days. The method was successfully tested on seven authentic samples, confirming 17 different analytes.
Journal of analytical toxicology
June 11, 2024
Juliana Ribeiro Ibiapina Leitão Oliveira, Leonardo Costalonga Rodrigues, Júlia Martinelli Magalhães Kahl et al.
13 citations
A new analytical method using dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was developed to detect ketamine, its metabolites norketamine and 6-hydroxy-norketamine, and its analogues deschloroketamine and 2-fluorodeschloroketamine in oral fluid. The method showed linearity from 10 to 1,000 ng/mL, with detection and quantification limits at 10 ng/mL. Imprecision and bias were below 8.2% and 9.5%, respectively, and matrix effects did not exceed 10.6%. Recovery ranged from 24% to 42%. The method was applied to 29 authentic oral fluid samples and evaluated as environmentally friendly by three green chemistry metrics.
Drug testing and analysis
March 1, 2021
Rafael Lanaro, Sueli Moreira Mello, Kelly Francisco da Cunha et al.
10 citations
After consuming ayahuasca, alkaloids such as DMT and β-carbolines reach higher peak concentrations and overall exposure in saliva than in serum, while their mean residence time is 1.5 to 3 times longer in serum. A statistical model suggests that serum concentrations can be predicted from saliva concentrations, though individual variability is large. Saliva offers a fast, noninvasive way to detect these alkaloids and could aid in identifying recreational use of similar compounds that pose intoxication risks.
Analytica chimica acta
May 1, 2024
André Luis Fabris, Stig Pedersen-Bjergaard, Elisabeth Leere Øiestad et al.
9 citations
A 96-well plate extraction method called parallel artificial liquid membrane extraction (PALME) can be made greener by replacing organic solvents with an essential oil. Fourteen essential oils were tested; the blend smart & sassy gave the best recovery for multiple drugs of abuse in plasma, including amphetamines, synthetic cathinones, and designer benzodiazepines. After optimization, the method achieved a linear range of 1-100 ng/mL, accuracy within ±16.4%, and limits of detection between 0.1 and 0.75 ng/mL. The technique eliminated hazardous organic solvents, provided effective sample clean-up, and met international validation guidelines, offering a sustainable tool for toxicological analysis.
Toxicology reports
June 1, 2025
Leonardo Costalonga Rodrigues, Alexandre Barcia de Godoi, Viviane Cristina Fais et al.
4 citations
MDMB-4en-PINACA, a synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist, caused severe developmental abnormalities and high embryo mortality in zebrafish at 10 µM, including pericardial edema, yolk edema, coagulation, and lack of heartbeat or somite formation. In contrast, the ketamine derivatives deschloroketamine and 2-fluorodeschloroketamine showed low embryo mortality even at higher concentrations. In larval stages, MDMB-4en-PINACA caused 8% mortality at 10 µM by eight days post-fertilization, while the ketamine derivatives led to 100% mortality at 2000 µM. MDMB-4en-PINACA was approximately 26 times more toxic than the ketamine derivatives based on LC50 values. The results support the absence of NMDA receptors in early zebrafish life stages, explaining the lower toxicity of ketamine derivatives early on.
Journal of Analytical Toxicology
August 29, 2023
Marilia Santoro Cardoso, Kelly Francisco da Cunha, Izabelly Geraldes Silva et al.
3 citations
Psilocin, the active compound produced when psilocybin from magic mushrooms is ingested, is unstable and oxidizes quickly, making its detection in biological samples challenging. A new method using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry was developed and validated to measure psilocin in oral fluid. The method requires only 100 microliters of sample, achieves detection limits of 0.05 ng/mL, and performs reliably with low bias and imprecision. Psilocin was stable in oral fluid at −20°C for 24 hours, at 4°C for 72 hours, and at 24°C for 24 hours, but degraded after three freeze-thaw cycles. Analysis of five authentic samples from party attendees found psilocin concentrations between 0.08 and 36.4 ng/mL, marking the first report of such measurements in oral fluid.