Loading…

Application of the QuEChERS procedure for analysis of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and its metabolites in authentic whole blood samples by GC–MS/MS

Purpose Analysis of drugs and their metabolites in biofluids usually demands the application of sample preparation methods that allow for full isolation of analyzed substances from the matrix. The purpose of this study was to develop a method using the QuEChERS procedure for analysis of Δ 9 -tetrahy...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Forensic toxicology 2018, Vol.36 (2), p.415-423
Main Authors: Dybowski, Michal P., Dawidowicz, Andrzej L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Purpose Analysis of drugs and their metabolites in biofluids usually demands the application of sample preparation methods that allow for full isolation of analyzed substances from the matrix. The purpose of this study was to develop a method using the QuEChERS procedure for analysis of Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), 11-hydroxy-Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (11-OH-THC) and 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (11-COOH-THC). Methods THC, 11-OH-THC and 11-COOH-THC were quantified in whole blood samples using QuEChERS extraction and gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Results The described method is characterized by good linearity, very low detection limits and satisfactory inter- and intraday precisions for THC, 11-OH-THC and 11-COOH-THC. The applicability of the procedure was confirmed using authentic whole blood samples collected from 30 persons suspected of driving under the influence of drugs. Conclusions The application of QuEChERS extraction described herein is a simple and convenient method for the routine analysis of THC, 11-OH-THC and 11-COOH-THC in whole blood samples from living and deceased humans. To our knowledge, this paper is the first academic report describing the QuEChERS extraction of THC and its metabolites from whole blood specimens.
ISSN:1860-8965
1860-8973
DOI:10.1007/s11419-018-0419-8