Microextraction techniques in forensic toxicology

• Grant number: 20/10809-5
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: February 01, 2021
• End date: April 30, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy - Toxicological Analysis
• Principal Investigator: José Luiz da Costa
• Grantee: José Luiz da Costa
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCF). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Henrique Marcelo Gualberto Pereira ; Karina Diniz Oliveira

Abstract

Forensic toxicology laboratories have a complex analytical structure, which combines analysis of a large number of possible analytes, present in huge varied concentrations (from pg/mL to mg/mL), in complex biological fluids (with a large number and diversity of interferents). In general, the Brazilian forensic laboratories use traditional sample preparation techniques, such as liquid-liquid or solid-phase extraction, with high consumption of biological samples and organic solvents. Currently, in analytical chemistry and toxicological analysis, there is a growing interest in the use of new sample preparation techniques, which are fast, efficient, automated and ecologically correct, following the concept internationally known as green analytical chemistry (GAC). Methods based on microextraction processes have been developed as alternatives to classic sample preparation procedures. As it requires less biological samples, microextraction techniques are attractive for samples with limited availability, such as vitreous humor and oral fluid, or even postmortem blood in victims of severe poly trauma (where there is considerable blood loss). In addition, the smaller amount of sample needed to perform the examination facilitates the logistic of the forensic laboratory. The huge use of organic solvents increases the operating cost of the laboratory (considering expenses for the purchase and proper disposal of chemicals), in addition to exposing the analyst to potentially toxic substances. The automation of the sample preparation process is another important point in forensic laboratories that, in most cases, need to analyze hundreds of samples daily. Thus, the use of microextraction techniques in the routine of forensic toxicology laboratories can bring several benefits, such as the issue of faster and reproducible results (using automated processes), with greater savings of resources, in an environmentally correct structure and preserving occupational health, using more efficient procedures, with lower maintenance cost, with equally reliable results, but consistent with the GAC concept. The objective of this project is to perform a critical analysis and evaluate the feasibility of using emerging microextraction techniques in toxicological screening and confirmation analyzes, performed for forensic purposes. The results obtained using emerging microextraction techniques will be evaluated against those obtained by traditional sample preparation techniques used routinely in forensic laboratories, evaluating the practical applicability of the new techniques in the routine of forensic toxicology laboratories. As evaluation criteria, the total extraction time, number of samples extracted simultaneously, detection limits obtained, extraction yield (recovery) and operating cost will be considered. (AU)

Scientific publications

(6)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

DA CUNHA, KELLY FRANCISCO; MAGALHAES KAHL, JULIA MARTINELLI; FIORENTIN, TAIS REGINA; OLIVEIRA, KARINA DINIZ; COSTA, JOSE LUIZ. High-sensitivity method for the determination of LSD and 2-oxo-3-hydroxy-LSD in oral fluid by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Forensic Toxicology, v. 40, n. 2, p. 10-pg., 2022-04-12. (20/07470-6, 18/11849-0, 20/10809-5, 18/00432-1)

CHINAGLIA, KAUE DE OLIVEIRA; ARANTES, ANA CAROLINA FURIOZO; DA CUNHA, KELLY FRANCISCO; DE CAMPOS, EDUARDO GERALDO; KAHL, JULIA MARTINELLI MAGALHAES; RODRIGUES, LEONARDO COSTALONGA; COSTA, JOSE LUIZ. Development of analytical method for the determination of methylphenidate, the analog ethylphenidate and their metabolite ritalinic acid in oral fluid samples by micro-QuEChERS and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. JOURNAL OF CHROMATOGRAPHY B-ANALYTICAL TECHNOLOGIES IN THE BIOMEDICAL AND LIFE SCIENCES, v. 1205, p. 7-pg., 2022-06-15. (19/02866-1, 20/10809-5)

FABRIS, ANDRE LUIS; MARTINS, ALINE FRANCO; COSTA, JOSE LUIZ; YONAMINE, MAURICIO. A new application of the switchable hydrophilicity solvent-based homogenous liquid-liquid microextraction to analyze synthetic cannabinoids in plasma by LC-MS/MS. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, v. 234, p. 11-pg., 2023-09-20. (20/10809-5, 21/09857-8)

MEIRELLES, GABRIELA DE PAULA; FABRIS, ANDRE LUIS; DOS SANTOS, KARINA FERREIRA; COSTA, JOSE LUIZ; YONAMINE, MAURICIO. Green Analytical Toxicology for the Determination of Cocaine Metabolites. JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL TOXICOLOGY, v. N/A, p. 14-pg., 2022-01-12. (20/10809-5)

TAÍS B. RODRIGUES; MÁRCIO H. MATSUBARA; ELVIS M. AQUINO; VICTOR A. P. GIANVECCHIO; DAMILA R. MORAIS; JOSE LUIZ COSTA. Development and Validation of a Method to Analyze Fentanyl and Its Analogues in Postmortem Blood Samples by LC-MS/MS. Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society, v. 35, n. 7, 2024-02-12. (20/10809-5, 18/00432-1)

DA CUNHA, KELLY FRANCISCO; OLIVEIRA, KARINA DINIZ; COSTA, JOSE LUIZ. Green analytical toxicology method for determination of synthetic cathinones in oral fluid samples by microextraction by packed sorbent and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Forensic Toxicology, v. N/A, p. 13-pg., 2023-07-28. (17/02147-0, 20/10809-5, 18/11849-0, 18/00432-1)