Validation and verification of an analytical method to identify and quantify selected amphetamine-related drugs in whole blood

Abstract

The abuse of amphetamine-related drugs (ARDs) is an epidemiological phenomenon in Saudi Arabia. This drug abuse is found to play an important role in early mortality due to traffic accidents, violence, and overdose. Therefore, control ARDs abuse is crucial. In forensic toxicology, ARDs analysis is carried out to identify human actions, such as driving under the influence of drugs, clarify the manner and cause of death, and elucidate drug use. This study has yielded practical analytical assay to using whole blood (WB) as a biological matrix in ARDs analysis by using ultra performance liquid chromatography in coupling with quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-qTOF-MS). Here, two different types of solid phase extraction (SPE) were evaluated. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP-SPE) was found to deliver a highly clean extract, however, ephedrine (EPH) interference was proved to leach from the polymer matrix of the sorbent materials. Mixed mode cation exchange (MMSPE) was found ideal to extract ARDs from WB matrices. The analytical method was developed and validated according to the Scientific Working Group for Forensic Toxicology (SWGTOX) Standard Practices. The validated method was found capable of quantitative analysis of methylphenethylamine (BMP) and detection of one of its metabolites in WBs of rats exposed to BMP by peritoneal injections