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Microdialysis of Ethanol During Operant Ethanol Self-administration and Ethanol Determination by Gas Chromatography
Published on: September 5, 2012
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Ethanol concentration changes in blood samples during medium-term refrigerated storage.
G Stojiljkovic1, M Maletin, D Stojic
1Institute of Forensic Medicine Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Medical Faculty, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia. goran.stojiljkovic@mf.uns.ac.rs.
European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences
|December 17, 2016
Summary
Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in stored laboratory samples significantly decreases over 180 days, especially due to ethanol evaporation. This highlights the importance of sample handling for accurate forensic analysis.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Science
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Accurate blood alcohol concentration (BAC) measurement is crucial for repeated forensic analyses.
- Understanding BAC stability in stored samples is essential for reliable results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the stability of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in laboratory samples stored at -18°C over 180 days.
- To determine the impact of storage duration on BAC measurements.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative analysis of BAC using headspace sampling gas chromatography (HS-GC) with flame ionizing detection (FID).
- Analysis of 50 blood samples from apprehended drivers at 0, 60, 120, and 180 days.
- Comparison with a control group stored under identical conditions.
Main Results:
- A significant decrease in BAC was observed between initial analysis (C1) and 180 days (C180).
- Significant BAC decreases occurred between all measurement intervals (C1-C60, C60-C120, C120-C180).
- A strong positive correlation (r=0.8) was found between initial BAC and the extent of BAC change.
Conclusions:
- Ethanol evaporation, driven by ventilation between liquid and gas phases, is a primary mechanism for BAC decay in stored samples.
- The air chamber percentage (CA%) significantly influences BAC stability.
- Proper sample handling and storage conditions are critical for maintaining BAC integrity in forensic toxicology.
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