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Screening, identification, and quantitation of benzodiazepines in postmortem samples by HPLC with photodiode array
W E Lambert1, E Meyer, Y Xue-Ping
1Laboratorium voor Toxicologie, Universiteit Gent, Belgium.
Journal of Analytical Toxicology
|January 1, 1995
Summary
This study presents a robust high-performance liquid chromatography method for analyzing eight benzodiazepines and metabolites in postmortem samples. The validated technique simplifies forensic toxicology by eliminating buffer salts for improved efficiency and reliability.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Toxicology
- Analytical Chemistry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Benzodiazepines are commonly prescribed and frequently involved in forensic cases.
- Accurate quantification of benzodiazepines and their metabolites in postmortem samples is crucial for toxicological investigations.
- Existing analytical methods may present challenges in terms of robustness and efficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for the simultaneous analysis of eight common benzodiazepines and their metabolites.
- To establish a reliable and efficient analytical procedure for postmortem forensic toxicology.
Main Methods:
- Liquid-liquid extraction using n-hexane-ethyl acetate (70:30, v/v).
- Gradient elution on a C8 reversed-phase column with an alkaline water-methanol eluent.
- Detection and quantitation using a photodiode array detector.
Main Results:
- The method allows for rapid detection, purity checks, identification, and quantitation of benzodiazepines and metabolites.
- Good recovery and linearity were observed for the parent compounds.
- The procedure was successfully applied routinely in forensic toxicological analyses.
Conclusions:
- The developed HPLC method is effective for simultaneous analysis of benzodiazepines and metabolites in postmortem samples.
- Eliminating buffer salts from the eluent enhances the procedure's robustness and reduces technical issues.
- This validated method provides a reliable tool for forensic toxicological applications.