Simultaneous determination of GHB and EtG in hair using GCMS/MS

Area of Science:

• Forensic Toxicology
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Accurate detection of drug-facilitated assault (DFA) markers and chronic alcohol consumption is crucial.
• Hair analysis offers a long-term detection window for various substances.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a sensitive method for simultaneous quantification of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and ethyl glucuronide (EtG) in human hair.
• To establish a reliable analytical tool for forensic investigations and clinical monitoring.

Main Methods:

• Gas chromatographic tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) utilizing multiple reaction monitoring (MRM).
• Anion exchange solid-phase extraction (SPE) for sample cleanup.
• Derivatization with N,O-bis[trimethylsilyl]trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) for enhanced volatility.
• Use of deuterated internal standards for accurate quantification.

Main Results:

• The developed assay demonstrated excellent linearity (r(2) > 0.99) and high sensitivity.
• The lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) was determined to be 10 pg/mg for EtG using a 20 mg hair sample.
• The method successfully identified GHB and EtG in cases of suspected DFA and in volunteers with heavy alcohol consumption.

Conclusions:

• The validated GC-MS/MS method provides a sensitive and reliable means for simultaneously determining GHB and EtG in hair.
• This analytical approach is valuable for investigating drug-facilitated assaults and assessing chronic alcohol abuse.
• The method's sensitivity and specificity make it a significant advancement in hair drug testing.