Rapid detection of fentanyl, fentanyl analogues, and opioids for on-site or laboratory based drug seizure screening using thermal desorption DART-MS and ion mobility spectrometry March 7, 2020 AccuTOF™ DART®, Mass Spectrometry (MS), Published Papers 0 Abstract Fentanyl and fentanyl analogues represent a current and emerging threat in the United States as pure illicit narcotics and in mixtures with heroin. Because of their extreme potency, methods to safely and rapidly detect these compounds are of high interest. This work investigates the use of thermal desorption direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (TD-DART-MS) and ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) as tools for the rapid and sensitive (nanogram to picograms) detection of fentanyl, 16 fentanyl analogues, and five additional opioids. Competitive ionization studies highlight that detection of these compounds in the presence of heroin is readily achievable, down to 0.1% fentanyl by mass with TD-DART-MS. With IMS, detection of nanogram levels of fentanyl in a binary fentanyl and heroin mixture is possible but can be complicated by decreased resolution in certain commercial instrument models. Modifications to the alarm windows can be used to ensure detection of fentanyl in binary mixtures. Additionally, three complex background matrices (fingerprint residue, dirt, and plasticizers) are shown to have a minimal effect of the detection of these compounds. Wipe sampling of the exterior of bags of questioned powders is shown to be a safe alternative method for field screening and identification, removing the need to handle potentially lethal amounts of material. For more information: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468170917300152 Related Articles Analyses of the thermal characteristics and gaseous products of guanidine nitrate/basic copper nitrate mixtures using calorimetry with high resolution mass spectrometry This work assessed the pyrolysis of a well-established gas generating agent consisting of a mixture of guanidine nitrate (GN) with basic copper nitrate (BCN), using thermogravimetry-differential scanning calorimetry in conjunction with high resolution mass spectrometry (TG/DSC/HRMS). This instrumentation simultaneously determined mass changes and heat flow, and also permitted evaluation of evolved gases on an accurate mass basis. Fragmentation ratio correction was used to analyze the MS data acquired via electron ionization. GN/BCN mixtures were found to undergo pyrolysis to evolve H2O, N2, NO, CO2 and N2O. Using HRMS, species having similar masses, such as CO2 and N2O, CO and N2, and NH3 and OH, were successfully distinguished. The thermal analysis data and the gas evolution results allowed a pyrolysis mechanism to be proposed. In this mechanism, a copper(II) complex obtained from the BCN catalytically decomposes NH3 generated from the GN to produce N2 and H2O. The pyrolysis of a mixture of GN and BCN thus provides a synergistic effect that increases the heat and gas output. Analysis of duct tapes by thermal desorption and pyrolysis mass spectrometry and X-ray-fluorescence spectroscopy The identification of pressure-sensitive tapes such as duct tape and electrical tape is an important forensic application. Here we show the application of thermal desorption and pyrolysis combined with Direct Analysis in Real Time (DART) mass spectrometry to distinguish between manufacturers and brands of duct tapes. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) provides complementary information about the atomic composition of the different tapes. Detection of Lipids Using Direct Analysis in Real Time Mass Spectrometry There has been a recent trend in mass spectrometry towards the development of “open-air” ionization sources. These techniques allow for the rapid analysis of samples at atmospheric pressure with little or no sample preparation. The Direct Analysis in Real Time (DART™) ion source, which is ideal for the analysis of small molecules, represents the first and simplest of the open-air techniques.1 This source creates ions based on the interactions of long-lived excited state neutral atoms or molecules (“metastables”) with the sample and atmospheric gases. Rapid Detection of Melamine in Dry Milk Using AccuTOF-DART Recent events have led to the recall of both pet food and dairy food products from international consumer markets. In both cases, melamine was added to these products to show a higher chemical signature for proteins, which in turn would increase the reported quality of the food. Unfortunately, the effect of this melamine addition caused the death of both pets and babies that consumed these tainted products. As a result, there is growing government and consumer concern towards the presence of melamine in food products. Because of this concern, there is a need for a rapid and accurate test to quickly determine the presence of melamine in these food products. Previously, the JEOL AccuTOF-DART was shown to be an effective technique for determining the presence of melamine in pet food. In this work, we extend the application of AccuTOF-DART to show that melamine can be rapidly detected when it is present in dry nonfat milk. Rapid screening of stobilurins in crude solid materials (wheat grains) using DART-TOFMS Direct control of solid materials for pesticide residues is a challenging task enabling fast contamination screening. In our study, we investigated direct analysis of strobilurin fungicides in milled wheat grains. Strobilurins, systemic pesticides originated from natural fungicidal derivatives, play an important role in control of various plant pathogens. Because of their unique protective properties, significant yield enhancements and longer retention of green leaf tissue, strobilurins have been widely used in agriculture since their introduction on the market in 1992. As other pesticides, these compounds are involved in control and monitoring surveys underta Instantaneous Screening for Counterfeit Drugs with No Sample Preparation Drug counterfeiting is becoming a serious and widespread public health problem. The number of FDA open investigations into drug counterfeiting rose sharply from 2000 to 2001 and has remained high in recent years. Counterfeit drugs are not only illegal, but dangerous; they may contain little or no actual drug content, or they may contain completely different drugs with potentially toxic consequences. The problem is worldwide; it has been reported that nearly 50% of all anti-malarial drugs in Africa are thought to be counterfeit. Direct Analysis in Real Time (DART™) offers a simple solution to screening for counterfeit drugs. DART can detect the presence or absence of drugs in medicines within seconds by simply placing the pill or medicine in front of the mass spectrometer. In combination with the AccuTOF, DART provides exact masses and accurate isotopic patterns that provide elemental compositions for known and unknown substances. Showing 0 Comment Comments are closed.