Analysis of Ecstasy Tablets Using Capillary Electrophoresis with Capacitively Coupled Contactless Conductivity Detection†
Suely K. S. S. Porto M.S.
Departamento de Química Fundamental, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes 748, CEP 05508-000, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Serviço de Perícias de Química, Instituto de Criminalística Carlos Éboli, R. Pedro I, 28, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Thiago Nogueira Ph.D.
Institute of Astronomy, Geophysics and Atmospheric Sciences, University of São Paulo, Rua do Matão, 1226 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Additional information and reprint requests:
Thiago Nogueira, Ph.D.
Institute of Astronomy, Geophysics and Atmospheric Sciences
University of São Paulo
Rua do Matão, 1226, São Paulo—SP
CEP 05508-090
Brazil
E-mail: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorLucas Blanes Ph.D.
Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology, Sydney, Broadway, 2001 NSW Australia
Search for more papers by this authorPhilip Doble Ph.D.
Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology, Sydney, Broadway, 2001 NSW Australia
Search for more papers by this authorBruno D. Sabino Ph.D.
Serviço de Perícias de Química, Instituto de Criminalística Carlos Éboli, R. Pedro I, 28, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
Search for more papers by this authorClaudimir L. do Lago Ph.D.
Departamento de Química Fundamental, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes 748, CEP 05508-000, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Search for more papers by this authorLúcio Angnes Ph.D.
Departamento de Química Fundamental, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes 748, CEP 05508-000, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Search for more papers by this authorSuely K. S. S. Porto M.S.
Departamento de Química Fundamental, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes 748, CEP 05508-000, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Serviço de Perícias de Química, Instituto de Criminalística Carlos Éboli, R. Pedro I, 28, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Thiago Nogueira Ph.D.
Institute of Astronomy, Geophysics and Atmospheric Sciences, University of São Paulo, Rua do Matão, 1226 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Additional information and reprint requests:
Thiago Nogueira, Ph.D.
Institute of Astronomy, Geophysics and Atmospheric Sciences
University of São Paulo
Rua do Matão, 1226, São Paulo—SP
CEP 05508-090
Brazil
E-mail: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorLucas Blanes Ph.D.
Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology, Sydney, Broadway, 2001 NSW Australia
Search for more papers by this authorPhilip Doble Ph.D.
Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology, Sydney, Broadway, 2001 NSW Australia
Search for more papers by this authorBruno D. Sabino Ph.D.
Serviço de Perícias de Química, Instituto de Criminalística Carlos Éboli, R. Pedro I, 28, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
Search for more papers by this authorClaudimir L. do Lago Ph.D.
Departamento de Química Fundamental, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes 748, CEP 05508-000, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Search for more papers by this authorLúcio Angnes Ph.D.
Departamento de Química Fundamental, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes 748, CEP 05508-000, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
A method for the identification of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP) was developed employing capillary electrophoresis (CE) with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection (C4D). Sample extraction, separation, and detection of “Ecstasy” tablets were performed in <10 min without sample derivatization. The separation electrolyte was 20 mm TAPS/Lithium, pH 8.7. Average minimal detectable amounts for MDMA and mCPP were 0.04 mg/tablet, several orders of magnitude lower than the minimum amount encountered in a tablet. Seven different Ecstasy tablets seized in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were analyzed by CE-C4D and compared against routine gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The CE method demonstrated sufficient selectivity to discriminate the two target drugs, MDMA and mCPP, from the other drugs present in seizures, namely amphepramone, fenproporex, caffeine, lidocaine, and cocaine. Separation was performed in <90 sec. The advantages of using C4D instead of traditional CE-UV methods for in-field analysis are also discussed.
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