Determination of designer drugs in saliva by paper spray mass spectrometry

Abstract

Determination of two drugs of abuse in saliva has been performed by Paper Spray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (PSI-MS) using a Molecularly Imprinted Polymer (MIP) coated paper as substrate. The method has been optimized for quantification of 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA) and methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) from synthetic saliva samples. Rapid analysis (~ 1 min) of designer drugs in saliva is demonstrated using MIP-PSI-MS. Both precursor ions of MDMA and MDA were confirmed by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) experiments by elucidating the fragmentation patterns formed via collisioninduced dissociation (CID). The MIP-PSI-MS method showed greater selectivity for MDMA and MDA in comparison with other analytes. Signal intensity ratios of the most important transitions for MDMA (194 →?163) and MDA (180 →?163) were found linear (R > 0,99) in the range 25-500 μg L-1. The LOD and LOQ for MDMA were 1.11 μg L-1 and 18.73 μg L-1, respectively, and for MDA were 3.42 μg L-1 and 21.66 μg L-1, respectively. The precision and accuracy values were determined below 4%, and the recoveries about 100%, without pre-concentration/enrichment or separation steps. The MIP-PSI-MS method displays the potential for rapid screening for selective quantitative determination of illicit drugs in saliva samples.