Paper-based monolith extraction of psychoactive substances from biological fluids

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Forensic Toxicology
• Materials Science

Background:

• Accurate detection of psychoactive substances in biological fluids is crucial for clinical and forensic applications.
• Existing extraction methods can be complex and time-consuming.
• Development of simple, sensitive, and robust extraction techniques is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel solid-phase extraction method for psychoactive substances.
• To immobilize a poly(methacrylic acid-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) monolith onto a nitrocellulose strip.
• To analyze model drugs and psychoactive substances in biological samples using UHPLC-MS/MS.

Main Methods:

• Radical photopolymerization to create a polymer monolith on a nitrocellulose strip.
• Characterization of the sorptive phase using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy.
• Optimization of extraction conditions (pH, time, solvent) and analysis by UHPLC-MS/MS.

Main Results:

• Achieved enrichment factors ranging from 5.3 to 39.9.
• Obtained limits of quantification from 0.013 µg/L (methylone) to 0.057 µg/L (amphetamine).
• Demonstrated high recoveries (64-120%) and statistically comparable results with certified reference materials in urine and serum.

Conclusions:

• The developed method provides a simple and straightforward approach for extracting and determining psychoactive substances.
• The polymer monolith on nitrocellulose strip is a stable and effective sorptive phase.
• This technique is suitable for routine analysis of psychoactive drugs in biological samples.