Rapid analysis of metabolites and drugs of abuse from urine samples by desorption electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry

Abstract

Urine samples obtained from drug abusers were screened for drugs of abuse and their metabolites using DESI-MS and the results obtained were compared to results obtained from GC–MS experiments. The detected analyte classes included amphetamines, opiates, cannabinoids and benzodiazepines. The compounds detected were codeine, morphine, oxymorphone, 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol, Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol, alprazolam, temazepam, oxazepam, N-desmethyldiazepam (nordiazepam) and hydroxytemazepam. Identities of all the analytes were confirmed by tandem mass spectrometry, matching MS/MS spectra with authentic standard compounds. The concentrations of the analytes in the samples were obtained from semi-quantitative GC–MS studies and were in the range of 270–22 000 ng mL⁻¹. The analytes could be detected by DESI even after a hundred-fold dilution indicating that the sensitivity of DESI was more than adequate for this study. Selectivity in the DESI-MS measurements for different kinds of analytes could be increased further by optimizing the spray solvent composition: the use of an entirely aqueous solvent enhanced the signal of polar analytes, such as the benzodiazepines, whereas the use of a spray solvent with a high organic content increased the signal of less polar analytes, such as codeine and morphine.