The Role of Mass Spectrometry in Uncovering New Designer Drugs
Efforts to keep pace with the evolving landscape of designer drugs are ongoing, with mass spectrometry playing a crucial role. This technology enables the analysis of drug samples by determining their molecular weight, shape, and composition, providing forensic scientists with vital clues even in the absence of standard references.
In recent advancements, researchers in the UK and Australia have been exploring innovative applications of mass spectrometry to enhance drug analysis.
A study by the University of British Columbia (UBC) and the BC Provincial Toxicology Centre (BCPTC) has showcased the use of high-resolution mass spectrometry in analysing urine samples to detect previously unidentified molecules from new designer drugs. This approach, detailed in the journal Analytical Chemistry, aimed to improve the process for prioritising the acquisition of reference standards by re-examining over 12,000 urine samples from 2019 to 2022. The study uncovered new synthetic opioids, benzodiazepines, and stimulants, including fluorofentanyl, a fentanyl variant that surged in the latter part of 2022, indicating its recent introduction into the drug market.
Lead author Michael Skinnider, who conducted the research as an MD/PhD student at UBC and is now an assistant professor at Princeton University, highlighted the importance of detecting these emerging drugs for public health and clinical practice. The British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) plans to integrate this method into its clinical urine drug screening, aiming to improve responsiveness to new drug introductions.
Meanwhile, in Australia, PhD candidate Harry Fursman is introducing a portable, mass spec-derived device, the MicroNIR, for rapid drug identification. This handheld, near-infrared spectrometer promises over 95% accuracy in identifying suspected drugs and assessing their purity, even through plastic bags or glass containers. Fursman’s work involves adapting the device’s machine learning models to the Australian context, where drug compositions differ from those in other regions. The MicroNIR’s potential applications extend beyond law enforcement to drug testing at supervised injecting facilities, music festivals, and clubs.
Fursman is also analysing used syringes at the Sydney Medically Supervised Injecting Centre to evaluate if individuals are injecting what they believe they are and to monitor substance use trends over time. These initiatives represent significant steps forward in drug analysis, offering more rapid and accurate identification of substances and enhancing public health responses to drug use.
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Materials provided by American Chemical Society. Note: Content has been edited.
Journal Reference
Anal. Chem. 2023, 95, 47, 17300–17310
Publication Date:November 15, 2023