Rapid detection of amphetamine in urine by micro thin-layer chromatography and fluorescence

A rapid, inexpensive, and simple screening procedure for the detection of amphetamine abuse was developed for use by laboratories without sophisticated equipment. A small volume of extract from a pH-adjusted urine specimen is used to spot a high-resolution micro TLC plate. The developed TLC plate is sprayed with a solution of fluorescamine in dry acetone. When viewed under ultraviolet illumination, amphetamines and other compounds with a primary amino group complexed with fluorescamine appear as greenish or bluish-white fluorescent spots. Secondary or tertiary amines do not react with fluorescamine. About 20 min is required to perform the procedure; the lower limit of detectability is approximately 100 ng/ml urine.