Analysis of amphetamines and fentanyls by atmospheric pressure desorption/ionization on silicon mass spectrometry and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry and its application to forensic analysis of drug seizures

• Published in: Journal of mass spectrometry. Vol. 40; no. 4; pp. 539 - 545
• Main Authors: Pihlainen, Katja, Grigoras, Kestutis, Franssila, Sami, Ketola, Raimo, Kotiaho, Tapio, Kostiainen, Risto
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.04.2005; Wiley
• Subjects: 1-(2-phenethyl)-4-N-propionylanilino)piperidine; amphetamines; Amphetamines - analysis; Amphetamines - chemistry; Analysis; Atmospheric Pressure; atmospheric pressure desorption/ionization on silicon; atmospheric pressure matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization; Biological and medical sciences; fentanyl; Fentanyl - analysis; Fentanyl - chemistry; forensic; Forensic Sciences - methods; General pharmacology; Mass Spectrometry; Medical sciences; Molecular Structure; Neuropharmacology; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Powders - chemistry; Psychoanaleptics: cns stimulant, antidepressant agent, nootropic agent, mood stabilizer..., (alzheimer disease); Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopharmacology; Sensitivity and Specificity; Silicon - chemistry; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization - methods; Tablets - chemistry; Amphetamine derivatives; Criminalistics; Agonist; Atmospheric pressure; Psychotropic; μ Opioid receptor; Fentanyl; Opiates; Forensic aspect; Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization; Narcotic analgesic; forensic; Porous material; Desorption ionization on porous silicon; Laser desorption; atmospheric pressure matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization; atmospheric pressure desorption/ionization on silicon; Piperidine derivatives; Amfetamine; Silicon; Drug of abuse; Drug; Forensic science; CNS stimulant; 1-(2-phenethyl)-4-N-propionylanilinopiperidine; amphetamines; Analysis method; Mass spectrometry MS/MS; Mass spectrometry
• ISSN: 1076-5174; 1096-9888
• DOI: 10.1002/jms.831

The suitability of atmospheric pressure desorption/ionization on silicon mass spectrometry (AP‐DIOS‐MS) and matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (AP‐MALDI‐MS) for the identification of amphetamines and fentanyls in forensic samples was studied. With both ionization techniques, the mass spectra recorded showed abundant protonated molecules, and the background did not disturb the analysis. The use of tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) allowed unambiguous identification of the amphetamines and fentanyls. AP‐DIOS‐MS/MS and AP‐MALDI‐MS/MS were also successfully applied to the identification of authentic compounds from drug seizures. Common diluents and tablet materials did not disturb the analysis and compounds were unequivocally identified. The limits of detection (LODs) for amphetamines and fentanyls with AP‐DIOS‐MS/MS were 1–3 pmol, indicating excellent sensitivity of the method. The LODs with AP‐MALDI‐MS/MS were about 5–10 times higher. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.