Determination of ketamine using melamine-modified gold nanoparticles

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Nanotechnology
• Forensic Science

Background:

• Ketamine is a valuable anesthetic and antidepressant but is increasingly abused and used in drug-facilitated crimes.
• Existing detection methods for ketamine can be slow, expensive, and not suitable for on-site use.
• Nanoparticle-based sensing offers a promising avenue for developing rapid and selective analytical techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a fast, inexpensive, and on-site method for ketamine detection.
• To utilize modified gold nanoparticles for selective ketamine analysis.
• To validate the developed method's accuracy and reliability.

Main Methods:

• Gold nanoparticles were synthesized and modified with melamine (AuNPs@Mel).
• Ketamine detection was achieved through aggregation-induced surface plasmon absorption shift caused by hydrogen bonding with AuNPs@Mel.
• Characterization of nanoparticles was performed using STEM, UV-vis spectrophotometry, and FTIR spectroscopy.

Main Results:

• A linear calibration curve with a correlation coefficient of 0.9981 was established for ketamine concentrations from 4.76 to 47.6 mg L⁻¹.
• The method demonstrated a detection limit of 1.5 mg L⁻¹ with acceptable relative standard deviation (5.2%–8.2%).
• The assay showed good precision (CVs of 5.7% intra-assay, 8.5% inter-assay) and was validated against LC-MS/MS.

Conclusions:

• The developed AuNPs@Mel method provides a sensitive and selective approach for rapid on-site ketamine detection.
• This nanoparticle-based assay is suitable for analyzing ketamine in complex matrices like biological fluids.
• The technique offers a viable alternative to conventional methods for ketamine screening.