Direct Analysis in Real Time Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry for Illicit Drug Identification and Quantification.

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Forensic Science
• Public Health

Background:

• The drug landscape is rapidly evolving with novel synthetic opioids, nitazenes, benzodiazepines, and veterinary tranquilizers like xylazine.
• Accurate and timely drug identification is crucial for public health, emergency response, and law enforcement interdiction.
• Existing laboratory-based drug screening methods can be time-consuming and not suitable for point-of-need applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate analytical instrumentation for agile, point-of-need drug screening.
• To enable rapid compound identification in complex drug mixtures and real-world samples.
• To support the goals of the Testing, Rapid Analysis, and Narcotic Quality (TRANQ) Research Act of 2023.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a direct analysis in real time triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (DART-TQ-MS) for compound identification.
• Employed the NIST/NIJ DART-MS Data Interpretation Tool with a forensics database for analysis.
• Analyzed single-component standards, mixtures, and street drug samples using full scan and product ion scan spectra.

Main Results:

• Achieved limits of detection generally in the tens to hundreds of picograms for single-component standards.
• Successfully identified potential compounds in mixtures and real-world samples by matching spectral data against a high-resolution mass spectral library.
• Demonstrated the capability of DART-TQ-MS for rapid and accurate drug identification.

Conclusions:

• A compact TQ-MS system facilitates rapid on-site drug analysis, moving beyond traditional laboratory settings.
• This technology provides critical data for public health, law enforcement, and forensic applications.
• The developed method enhances the ability to respond effectively to emerging drug threats.