2009/01/27 by Mark J. Bennett, Robert R. Steiner
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Chemistry · Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics · #Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis #Mass Spectrometry Techniques and Applications #Metabolomics and Mass Spectrometry Studies
paper · doi:10.1111/j.1556-4029.2008.00955.x
openalex publication_date 2009/01/27 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
A new screening method for detecting gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) in drink matrices, using the IonSense, Inc. (Saugus, MA) direct analysis in real time (DART) ion source coupled to a JEOL exact mass time-of-flight mass spectrometer (AccuTOF), was validated and compared with the current screening methodology. The DART ion source allows for analysis of samples under ambient conditions with little to no sample preparation. Fifty drink specimens were spiked at levels of 1, 2, 3, and 4 mg/mL GHB, and analyzed on the AccuTOF-DART. Positive detection of GHB occurred for each of the samples at each concentration level, giving 100% accuracy for the samples tested. Twenty-five of the 50 drink specimens were spiked at 1 mg/mL GHB and tested using a color test known as the GHB Color Test #3. Only two of these 25 specimens tested positive for the presence of GHB, giving only 8% accuracy. Implementation of this new methodology as a screening tool for GHB analysis will quickly eliminate negative specimens allowing the examiner to focus analysis time on those that screened positive.