Since 2004, a number “herbal blends” containing different synthetic compounds mimicking the pharmacological activity of cannabinoids and displaying a high toxicological potential have appeared in the market. Their availability is mainly based on the so-called “e-commerce”, being sold as “legal” alternatives to cannabis and cannabis derivatives. At present, the few reported methods for “herbal blends” are primarily based on chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS and LC-MS) [1-4]. Although highly selective, sensitive, accurate and quantitative methods based on GC and LC-MS are available, they lack simplicity, rapidity, versatility and throughput, which are required for product monitoring. In this context, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) offers simple and rapid operation with high throughput. Thus, the aim of the present work was to develop a MALDI-TOF MS method for the rapid qualitative direct analysis of “herbal blend” preparations for synthetic cannabinoids, to be used as front screening of confiscated clandestine preparations.
Direct screening of “herbal blends” for synthetic cannabinoids by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-TOF (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry
GOTTARDO, Rossella;CHIARINI, Anna Maria;DAL PRÀ, Ilaria Pierpaola;ARMATO, Ubaldo
2011-01-01
Abstract
Since 2004, a number “herbal blends” containing different synthetic compounds mimicking the pharmacological activity of cannabinoids and displaying a high toxicological potential have appeared in the market. Their availability is mainly based on the so-called “e-commerce”, being sold as “legal” alternatives to cannabis and cannabis derivatives. At present, the few reported methods for “herbal blends” are primarily based on chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS and LC-MS) [1-4]. Although highly selective, sensitive, accurate and quantitative methods based on GC and LC-MS are available, they lack simplicity, rapidity, versatility and throughput, which are required for product monitoring. In this context, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) offers simple and rapid operation with high throughput. Thus, the aim of the present work was to develop a MALDI-TOF MS method for the rapid qualitative direct analysis of “herbal blend” preparations for synthetic cannabinoids, to be used as front screening of confiscated clandestine preparations.
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