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Analysis of morphine and codeine in samples adulterated with Stealth
J T Cody1, S Valtier, J Kuhlman
1Academy of Health Sciences, MCCS-HMP PA Branch, Fort Sam Houston, Texas 78234-6138, USA.
Journal of Analytical Toxicology
|October 16, 2001
Summary
Stealth adulterant can interfere with drug testing, causing false negatives in immunoassays and failed GC-MS recovery. Adding sodium disulfite aids in recovering opiates like morphine and codeine.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Toxicology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Stealth is an adulterant used to circumvent drug abuse detection.
- Previous studies indicated Stealth's interference with opiate detection via immunoassays.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of Stealth on opiate detection using both immunoassay and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
- To investigate methods for overcoming Stealth's interference in confirmation analysis.
Main Methods:
- Urine samples were spiked with codeine and/or morphine glucuronide at 6000 ng/mL.
- Samples were divided into control and Stealth-adulterated aliquots.
- Testing involved immunoassay screening and GC-MS confirmation analysis.
- Sodium disulfite was added to assess its effect on GC-MS recovery.
Main Results:
- Immunoassays detected opiates in both control and Stealth-adulterated samples.
- GC-MS analysis failed to recover drugs and internal standards in 33% of Stealth-adulterated samples.
- Sodium disulfite addition enabled successful recovery of drugs and internal standards in all samples.
- Opiate concentrations decreased by up to 17% for morphine and 30% for codeine in some samples after adulteration.
Conclusions:
- Stealth can negatively impact GC-MS confirmation analysis of opiates.
- Sodium disulfite is effective in overcoming Stealth-induced interference during GC-MS analysis.
- Consideration of sodium disulfite treatment is crucial for samples that screen positive but fail GC-MS confirmation due to potential adulteration.