[Rapid identification and quantitation of barbiturates in plasma using solid-phase extraction combined with GC-FID...

A rapid screening method for the quantitation and identification of 7 barbiturates in plasma is presented. The method employs solid-phase extraction at pH 3 using X-5 resin as absorbent. Identification of each barbiturate is achieved by retention time and GC-MS. Detection threshold (0.3-0.5 micrograms.ml-1 in a 0.5 ml plasma sample and 1 microliter injection volume), precision (RSD 3.46-6.41%), and linearity (r > 0.99) were satisfactory for blood level monitoring and clinical toxicological applications.