Abstract

MASHAYEKHI, Hossein Ali  and  REZAEE, Mohammad. Determination of ecstasy components in human urine by gas chromatography using a dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction procedure. J. Braz. Chem. Soc. [online]. 2012, vol.23, n.9, pp. 1698-1703.  Epub Sep 18, 2012. ISSN 0103-5053.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0103-50532012005000032.

A new method was developed for preconcentration and determination of ecstasy compounds, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), 3,4-methylenedioxymethylamphetamine (MDMA), 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDEA) and 3,4-methylenedioxypropylamphetamine (MDPA), in urine samples using dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) and gas chromatography (GC) with flame ionization detection (GC-FID). The method was based on the formation of tiny droplets of an organic extractant in prepared sample solution using water, immiscible organic solvent (CS₂) dissolved in water-miscible organic disperser solvent (acetone). The organic phase, which extracted MDA, MDEA, MDMA and MDPA from the prepared sample solution, was separated by centrifugation. Parameters affecting extraction efficiency were investigated and optimized. Under the optimum conditions, linearities of the method were 1.0-500 µg L^-1 for MDEA and MDPA and 2.5-500 µg L^-1 for MDA and MDMA. The limits of detection (LODs, S/N = 3, signal-to-noise ratio) were in the range from 0.3 to 0.8 µg L^-1. The method was successfully applied to the determination of analytes in urine samples.

Keywords : dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction; ecstasy; amphetamine; urine samples; gas chromatography.