Analysis of LSD in human body fluids by high-performance liquid chromatography, fluorescence spectroscopy and radioimmunoassay

A scheme of analysis is described in which the particular advantages of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), fluorescence spectroscopy and radioimmunoassay (RIA) are exploited to the greatest effect. RIA affords a rapid and sensitive preliminary screening method, while the subsequent HPLC analysis using fluorimetric detection yields quantitative chromatographic evidence together with characteristic fluorescence spectra. Fractionation of samples by HPLC followed by RIA of the fractions gives further confirmation of the presence of LSD and its metabolites. The combined methodology has been applied to the analysis of LSD in body fluids for forensic and clinical purposes. Levels down to 0.5 ng of LSD per ml can be detected using the minimum of sample.