Introduction
The testing of alternative matrices in forensic and/or clinical toxicology is gaining popularity, partly due to less invasive means of collection. Matrices such as hair or nail can provide a more rounded picture of abstinence or abuse and associated timeframes. This application note describes the sample pre-treatment and subsequent extraction of 49 drugs of abuse from human nails, prior to LC/MS analysis.
The method utalizes Biotage® Lysera for matrix micropulverisation, prior to direct transfer to clean up using ISOLUTE® SLE+ supported liquid extraction products. Elimination of an evaporation step between the micropulverisation and supported liquid extraction clean up stages provides a streamlined procedure for nail extraction.
Manual processing protocols were developed using the Biotage® PRESSURE+ 96 (plate format) or 48 (column format) Positive Pressure Manifolds. For automated processing, protocols were developed using Biotage® ExtraheraTM.
This application note contains procedures optimized for both individual column format and 96-well plate format for higher throughput applications. The methodology delivers clean extracts and analyte recoveries mostly greater than 80% with RSDs lower than 10% for all analytes and LLOQ from 1 pg/mg.
Both manual and automated procedures gave comparable results.
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