Abstract
Benzodiazepines (BZD) and Z-hypnotics are frequently analyzed in forensic laboratories, and in 2012, the designer benzodiazepines (DBZD) emerged on the illegal drug scene. DBZD represent a particular challenge demanding new analytical methods. In this work, parallel artificial liquid membrane extraction (PALME) is used for sample preparation of DBZD, BZD, and Z-hypnotics in whole blood prior to UHPLC-MS/MS analysis. PALME of BZD, DBZD, and Z-hypnotics was performed from whole blood samples, and the analytes were extracted across a supported liquid membrane (SLM) and into an acceptor solution of dimethyl sulfoxide and 200 mM formic acid (75:25, v/v). The method was validated according to EMA guidelines. The method was linear throughout the calibration range (R2 > 0.99). Intra- and inter-day accuracy and precision, as well as matrix effects, were within the guideline limit of ± 15%. LOD and LLOQ ranged from 0.10 to 5.0 ng mL−1 and 3.2 to 160 ng mL−1, respectively. Extraction recoveries were reproducible and above 52%. The method was specific, and the analytes were stable in the PALME extracts for 4 and 10 days at 10 and − 20 °C. No carry-over was observed within the calibration range. PALME and UHPLC-MS/MS for the determination of DBZD, BZD, and Z-hypnotics in whole blood are a green and low-cost alternative that provides high sample throughput (96-well format), extensive sample clean-up, good sensitivity, and high reproducibility. The presented method is also the first method incorporating analysis of DBZD, BZD, and Z-hypnotics in whole blood in one efficient analysis. [Figure not available: see fulltext.].
Original language | English |
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Journal | Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry |
Volume | 410 |
Issue number | 20 |
Pages (from-to) | 4967-4978 |
Number of pages | 12 |
ISSN | 1618-2642 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2018 |
Keywords
- Benzodiazepines
- Designer benzodiazepines
- LC-MS/MS
- Parallel artificial liquid membrane extraction
- Whole blood samples
- Z-hypnotics
- Limit of Detection
- Tandem Mass Spectrometry/economics
- Humans
- Benzodiazepines/analysis
- Membranes, Artificial
- Equipment Design
- Designer Drugs/analysis
- Hypnotics and Sedatives/analysis
- Liquid-Liquid Extraction/economics
- Time Factors
- Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/economics