Determination of cocaine on banknotes using innovative sample preparation coupled with multiple calibration...

Area of Science:

• Forensic Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Cocaine detection on banknotes is crucial for forensic investigations.
• Traditional methods may lack efficiency or damage currency.
• A need exists for a robust and non-destructive analytical technique.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate an innovative sample preparation and analysis method for cocaine on banknotes.
• To assess the effectiveness of sonication-enhanced aqueous extraction.
• To compare multiple calibration techniques for accurate cocaine quantitation.

Main Methods:

• Sonication-enhanced aqueous extraction for cocaine isolation from banknotes.
• Quantitation using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with UV detection.
• Identification utilizing Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS).
• Application of External Calibration Method (ECM), Internal Standard Method (ISM), and Standard Addition Method (SAM).

Main Results:

• The developed method demonstrated high extraction efficiency and spike recovery.
• Matrix effects were statistically insignificant, confirmed by paired t tests.
• Cocaine concentrations ranged from 1.58 to 14.7 μg per note (average 6.96 μg/note).
• No observable damage to banknote features occurred during extraction.

Conclusions:

• The sonication-enhanced extraction coupled with HPLC and GC-MS provides a simple and reliable method for cocaine determination on banknotes.
• The method is suitable for drug analysis and forensic science applications.
• The simultaneous use of ECM, ISM, and SAM validates the accuracy and robustness of the quantitation.