Microextraction by packed sorbent of synthetic tryptamines from urine and ion mobility spectrometry determination

Abstract

A procedure for the determination of N,N-dipropyltryptamine, 5‑methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine, and 5‑methoxy-N-methyl-N-isopropyltryptamine in urine has been developed based on a microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS) followed by ion mobility spectrometry determination. The combination of microextraction by packed sorbent with ion mobility spectrometry provided promising advantages for in-field screening of new psychoactive substances in urine, due to its simplicity, automation, and portability. The effect of sample pH and ionic strength, and the number of loading and elution steps has been evaluated. The obtained limits of quantification ranged from 21 to 29 µg L−1, and accuracy and precision were evaluated by the determination of blank urine samples spiked at limits of quantification, 250, and 500 µg L−1 synthetic tryptamines, with recovery values in the range of 76–95% and relative standard deviations lower than 20%. Moreover, the environmental impact and greenness of the proposed extraction method has been evaluated, providing an AGREEprep score of 0.62. Thus, the developed methodology can be considered a reliable and green screening methodology for in-field abuse drug consumption detection.

Keywords

• New psychoactive substances
• Tryptamines
• Urine
• Microextraction by packed sorbent
• Ion mobility spectrometry
• Green analytical chemistry