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Simultaneous chiral impurity analysis of methamphetamine and its precursors by supercritical fluid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

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Abstract

Purpose

Impurity profiling of seized illicit methamphetamine (MA) provides information on MA manufacturing methods in clandestine laboratories, and this drug intelligence supports formulation of strategies to control MA abuse. In the present study, we developed a simultaneous chiral analysis method for MA and its precursors using supercritical fluid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry equipped with an enantioselective stationary phase.

Methods

Chromatographic conditions were optimized by systematic investigation of the flow rate, temperature, back pressure, co-solvent, additive, and mobile phase composition. The ability of the developed method was evaluated using standard and authentic illicit MA.

Results

The use of a chiral selector in the stationary phase allowed for simultaneous chiral differentiation of MA and its precursors including ephedrine, norephedrine, chloropseudoephedrine, methylephedrine, dimethylamphetamine, and amphetamine. Sufficient limit of detection, repeatability of retention time, and linearity were achieved. A switching valve interfacing a chromatograph and a mass spectrometer enabled analyzing large amounts of MA directly. The application to the authentic illicit MA samples was achieved and revealed the existence of impurities, which was not detected by conventional gas chromatography–mass spectrometry.

Conclusions

The developed supercritical fluid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method could be a powerful analytical tool for MA impurity profiling.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by Brandenberger–Matsumoto Award 2018 from the Japanese Association of Forensic Toxicology, and the content will be presented at The International Association of Forensic Toxicologist 2018 meeting in Ghent, Belgium. This study was also supported in part by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science KAKENHI Grant-in Aid for Young Scientists (B) (Grant Number JP17K12994). We thank Gabrielle David, PhD from Edanz Group (www.edanzediting.com/ac) for editing a draft of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-0882, Japan

    Hiroki Segawa, Yuko T. Iwata, Tadashi Yamamuro, Kenji Kuwayama, Kenji Tsujikawa, Tatsuyuki Kanamori & Hiroyuki Inoue

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  1. Hiroki Segawa
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  2. Yuko T. Iwata
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  3. Tadashi Yamamuro
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  6. Tatsuyuki Kanamori
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  7. Hiroyuki Inoue
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Correspondence to Hiroki Segawa.

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Segawa, H., Iwata, Y.T., Yamamuro, T. et al. Simultaneous chiral impurity analysis of methamphetamine and its precursors by supercritical fluid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Forensic Toxicol 37, 145–153 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11419-018-0446-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11419-018-0446-5

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