Investigation of heroin profiling using trace organic impurities.
The acidic and neutral impurities in heroin samples (46 Purified South-East Asian (PSEA) and 8 non-PSEA samples) were analysed using gas chromatography. Mass spectral detection allowed the construction of a comprehensive library of over 649 impurities. A variety of statistical procedures were used to select 70 viable profiling parameters. Cluster analyses were used to investigate the similarities between samples using organic parameters. A blended PSEA profile was constructed for comparison with samples of unknown origins. Resolution between samples of PSEA/non-PSEA origins was demonstrated with a selection of 25 (18 continuous and 7 dichotomised) discriminating factors. Several predictive logistic models were created using up to 18 parameters, explaining 85-100% of the variation in the experimental data.
Myors
R B
RB
Australian Government Analytical Laboratories, Research and Development Section, PO Box 385, Pymble, NSW 2073, Australia.
Crisp
P T
PT
Skopec
S V
SV
Wells
R J
RJ
D001210:Asia, Southeastern; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004335:Drug and Narcotic Control; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D003932:Heroin / Q000737:chemistry*; D016015:Logistic Models; D009294:Narcotics / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000032:analysis*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
D009294:Narcotics; D010936:Plant Extracts; D003932:Heroin