title: Simultaneous detection of 93 synthetic cannabinoids by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and retrospective application to real forensic samples.
abstract: The Internet is flooded with steadily changing synthetic cannabinoids in `Spice` products. In routine forensic work, it is difficult to keep the analytical methods for the detection of these analytes up to date. We describe a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method after liquid-liquid extraction for the detection of 93 synthetic cannabinoids in human serum. The method was validated for selectivity and specificity, matrix effects, and analytical limits (<1 ng/mL for 81 substances) for qualitative analysis. A short quantitative validation regarding linearity and precision data was also conducted. The method was applied to 189 serum samples provided by police authorities. Sixty-four samples (33.8%) were found positive for at least one synthetic cannabinoid, whereby MDMB-CHMICA, AB-CHMINACA, and 5 F-PB-22 were the substances most frequently detected. Consumption of these substances and plasma concentrations are linked to symptoms documented by the police. Six case reports are presented. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Forensic Medicine, University Bonn, Department Forensic Toxicology, Stiftsplatz 12, 53111, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Cornelius
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hess
authors.affiliation: Institute of Forensic Medicine, University Bonn, Department Forensic Toxicology, Stiftsplatz 12, 53111, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Murach
authors.affiliation: Institute of Forensic Medicine, University Bonn, Department Forensic Toxicology, Stiftsplatz 12, 53111, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Lynn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Krueger
authors.affiliation: Institute of Forensic Medicine, University Bonn, Department Forensic Toxicology, Stiftsplatz 12, 53111, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Scharrenbroch
authors.affiliation: Institute of Forensic Medicine, University Bonn, Department Forensic Toxicology, Stiftsplatz 12, 53111, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Unger
authors.affiliation: Institute of Forensic Medicine, University Bonn, Department Forensic Toxicology, Stiftsplatz 12, 53111, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Burkhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Madea
authors.affiliation: Institute of Forensic Medicine, University Bonn, Department Forensic Toxicology, Stiftsplatz 12, 53111, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Konrad
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sydow
mesh_terms: D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000097:blood*; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid / Q000379:methods; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000097:blood*; D007191:Indazoles / Q000097:blood; D007211:Indoles / Q000097:blood; D057230:Limit of Detection; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization / Q000379:methods; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection / Q000379:methods*; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D014633:Valine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D002186:Cannabinoids; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D007191:Indazoles; D007211:Indoles; C000610109:methyl 2-(1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-1H-indole-3-carboxamido)-3,3-dimethylbutanoate; D014633:Valine; C000606289:N-(1-(aminocarbonyl)-2-methylpropyl)-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide
keywords: Spice; liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry; plasma concentrations; screening; synthetic cannabinoids