Improved detection and identification of basic drugs extracted from tissue using TLC

Improved separation of methaqualone, lidocaine, cocaine, phencyclidine, phenacetin and methadone was achieved by a double development technique using dichloromethane:methyl ethyl ketone:ammonia (90:10:1.5 and 30:70:2). Improved identification of spots for some basic drugs was achieved after the traditional detection spray sequence with successive topical applications of: Marquis reagent, Mandelin reagent and a special ammonium molybdate fuming sulfuric acid reagent.