Fast screening of illicit drugs in beverages and biological fluids by direct coupling of thin film microextraction to dielectric barrier discharge ionization-mass spectrometry

Abstract

A direct and fast method for screening and quantification of illicit drugs in beverages and biological fluids was developed by using dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) as ionization technique, in combination with high-resolution mass spectrometry. Extraction of the targeted analytes was carried out with thin film microextraction (TFME) using ultrasound as agitation method. The targeted analytes were then thermally desorbed and introduced into the source without the need for any cryofocusing apparatus. The performance of this new analytical set up were compared to conventional TFME-TDU-GC/MS, showing enhanced linear dynamic range and lower limits of quantitation (low pg ml⁻¹) achievable at the same extraction conditions (5 min extraction time). The performance of the method was tested in different beverages and body fluids, confirming its applicability for quantitative analysis of the targeted drugs in complex samples.