Analysis of heroin drug seizures by Micellar Electrokinetic Capillary Chromatography (MECC)

A rapid procedure using Micellar Electrokinetic Capillary Chromatography (MECC) is presented for the quantitation of illicit heroin samples. This analytical system resolves heroin from accompanying impurities and adulterants enabling accurate quantitation via the use of an internal standard. An aqueous run buffer consisting of 40 mmol sodium dodecyl sulfate, 8.5 mmol sodium phosphate, 8.5 mmol sodium borate and 15% acetonitrile is used with a 27 cm x 50 microns fused silica capillary column. Linearity, accuracy and reproducibility studies of heroin using this method are established. Comparisons to a commonly used gas chromatographic method show excellent correlation. Due to its high resolution and speed, this MECC system also serves as a screening procedure to detect impurities and adulterants present in heroin samples. Relative migration times of various opiates and adulterants are reported. With minor exceptions, complete separation of numerous compounds is achieved within five minutes, including compounds that are difficult to analyze by gas chromatography such as morphine, O6-acetylmorphine, aspirin and salicylic acid.