TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2019//
TI  - Simultaneous analysis of 29 synthetic cannabinoids and metabolites, amphetamines and cannabinoids in human whole blood by LC-MS/MS - a New Zealand perspective of use in 2018
JO  - Drug testing and analysis
A1  - Ong, Rui Shen
A1  - Kappatos, Diana C.
A1  - Russell, Sarah G. G.
A1  - Poulsen, Helen A.
A1  - Banister, Samuel D.
A1  - Gerona, Roy R. L.
A1  - Glass, Michelle
A1  - Johnson, Cameron S.
A1  - McCarthy, Mary-Jane
SP  - ePub
EP  - ePub
VL  - ePub
IS  - ePub
N2  - We describe the validation of a method for the simultaneous analysis of 29 synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) and metabolites, four amphetamines and two cannabinoids in human whole blood. This method enables one analysis to cover what previously required multiple analyses for these classic and novel drugs-of-abuse with diverse physicochemical properties. The scope of targeted analytes was based on the most prevalent drugs-of-abuse and SCs encountered at the New Zealand border in 2017 and included parent compounds and metabolites belonging to the indole and indazole carboxamide, quinolinyl indole carboxylate and naphthoylindole classifications. Samples were prepared by supported-liquid-extraction followed by LC-MS/MS analysis with positive ESI. The method was validated with respect to selectivity, matrix effects, process efficiency, sensitivity, repeatability, extract stability and carryover for qualitative confirmation. Linearity as well as accuracy and precision data at target decision concentrations were also evaluated. The limits of detection and confirmation ranged from 0.1 - 6.0 ng/mL and 1.0 - 6.0 ng/mL respectively. The described method was successfully applied to the analysis of 564 ante- and post-mortem blood samples in 2018. There were 132 cases (23%) with positive findings of at least one SC, with the five most commonly detected SCs being AMB-FUBINACA and/or acid (61%), 5F-ADB and/or acid (40%), ADB-FUBINACA (11%), 5F-MDMB-PICA acid (6%) and MDMB-FUBINACA acid (6%). The results also demonstrate the predominant presence of metabolites at higher levels than the unchanged parent SCs in blood, highlighting the need to maintain forensic screening methods capable of the simultaneous detection of both parent compounds and metabolites.<br><br>This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1942-7603
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/dta.2697
ID  - ref1
ER  -