title: Simplified analysis of 11-hydroxy-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and 11-carboxy-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in human meconium: method development and validation.
abstract: We describe the development of a sensitive analytical method for the analysis of 11-hydroxy-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (11-OH-THC) and 11-carboxy-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THCC) in meconium using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) platform. The method was validated according to protocols, which included assessment of accuracy, precision, robustness, stability in meconium and in-process stability, interference and sensitivity and specificity. The method consists of a solid phase extraction with alkaline hydrolysis and derivatization of the analytes with N, O-Bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacteamide, followed by GC/MS analysis using selected ion monitoring. The method uses deuterated internal standards for both analytes. Calibration curves had r(2) values >0.998, and extraction efficiency was determined to be 84.7% for THCC and 78.6% for 11-OH-THC. The detection limit for both analytes was 5 ng/g. This confirmatory method was successfully applied to 183 meconium samples that had screened positive by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and 67.2% were confirmed for THCC, and 2.2% were confirmed positive for 11-OH-THC. The mean (SD) and median (range) THCC (n = 123) concentrations detected were 55.0 ng/g (±59.0) and 33.75 ng/g (5-265 ng/g), while the mean and median (range) for 11-OH-THC (n = 4) concentrations were 8.25 ng/g (±4.71) and 6.5 ng/g (5-15 ng/g).
authors.affiliation: NMS Labs, 3701 Welsh Rd, Willow Grove, PA 19090, USA Forensic Science Program, Arcadia University, Glenside, PA, USA The Center for Forensic Science Research and Education, The Fredric Rieders Family Renaissance Foundation, 2300 Stratford Ave, Willow Grove, PA 19090, USA.
authors.forename: Marykathryn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tynon
authors.affiliation: NMS Labs, 3701 Welsh Rd, Willow Grove, PA 19090, USA.
authors.forename: Marcellino
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Porto
authors.affiliation: NMS Labs, 3701 Welsh Rd, Willow Grove, PA 19090, USA Forensic Science Program, Arcadia University, Glenside, PA, USA The Center for Forensic Science Research and Education, The Fredric Rieders Family Renaissance Foundation, 2300 Stratford Ave, Willow Grove, PA 19090, USA barry.logan@nmslabs.com.
authors.forename: Barry K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Logan
mesh_terms: D002138:Calibration; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006801:Humans; D006868:Hydrolysis; D057230:Limit of Detection; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis; D008470:Meconium / Q000737:chemistry*; D011247:Pregnancy; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D052616:Solid Phase Extraction; D013048:Specimen Handling; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: C052413:delta(9-11)-tetrahydrocannabinol; C001427:11-hydroxy-delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol; D013759:Dronabinol