title: In-depth chromatographic analyses of illicit cocaine and its precursor, coca leaves.
abstract: Chromatographic methodology used for the in-depth alkaloid analyses of coca leaves and for the characterization of alkaloidal impurities and manufacturing by-products in illicit refined cocaine samples is reviewed. This includes liquid-liquid partition and liquid-solid adsorption column chromatography, packed- and capillary-column gas chromatography with flame-ionization, electron-capture, nitrogen-phosphorous and mass spectrometric detection, and high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. The rationale supporting the presence and determination of processing impurities/by-products in cocaine samples is discussed, and chromatographic methodology used for the development of drug impurity signature profiles is presented.
authors.affiliation: United States Drug Enforcement Administration, Special Testing and Research Laboratory, McLean, VA 22102-3494.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Casale
mesh_terms: D000470:Alkaloids / Q000032:analysis; D002845:Chromatography / Q000379:methods*; D003041:Coca / Q000737:chemistry*; D003042:Cocaine / Q000737:chemistry*; D004340:Drug Contamination; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000737:chemistry*; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D003042:Cocaine