title: Analysis of amphetamines and fentanyls by atmospheric pressure desorption/ionization on silicon mass spectrometry and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry and its application to forensic analysis of drug seizures.
abstract: The suitability of atmospheric pressure desorption/ionization on silicon mass spectrometry (AP-DIOS-MS) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (AP-MALDI-MS) for the identification of amphetamines and fentanyls in forensic samples was studied. With both ionization techniques, the mass spectra recorded showed abundant protonated molecules, and the background did not disturb the analysis. The use of tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) allowed unambiguous identification of the amphetamines and fentanyls. AP-DIOS-MS/MS and AP-MALDI-MS/MS were also successfully applied to the identification of authentic compounds from drug seizures. Common diluents and tablet materials did not disturb the analysis and compounds were unequivocally identified. The limits of detection (LODs) for amphetamines and fentanyls with AP-DIOS-MS/MS were 1-3 pmol, indicating excellent sensitivity of the method. The LODs with AP-MALDI-MS/MS were about 5-10 times higher.
authors.affiliation: University of Helsinki, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, P.O. Box 56, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Katja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pihlainen
authors.forename: Kestutis
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Grigoras
authors.forename: Sami
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Franssila
authors.forename: Raimo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ketola
authors.forename: Tapio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kotiaho
authors.forename: Risto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kostiainen
mesh_terms: D000662:Amphetamines / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D001274:Atmospheric Pressure; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D044707:Forensic Sciences / Q000379:methods*; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D015394:Molecular Structure; D011208:Powders / Q000737:chemistry; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012825:Silicon / Q000737:chemistry*; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / Q000379:methods*; D013607:Tablets / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000662:Amphetamines; D011208:Powders; D013607:Tablets; D005283:Fentanyl; D012825:Silicon