ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 1 October 1985
Page Count: 8

Retrieval of Analytical Data and Substance Identification in Systematic Toxicological Analysis by the Mean List Length Approach
Franke, J-P
Senior research associate, professor of toxicology, and research associate, State University,

Schepers, PGAM
Senior research associate, professor of toxicology, and research associate, State University,

de Zeeuw, RA
Senior research associate, professor of toxicology, and research associate, State University,

(Received 15 October 1984; accepted 3 March 1985)

Abstract

Chromatographic techniques are basic tools in systematic toxicological analysis. Extensive data bases with retention parameters of known drugs to aid in the identification of substances found are available or in preparation. For a search in such a data base the computer is indispensable. The commonly used window search has some disadvantages which can be overcome by a search based on the statistical concept, the mean list length. The latter retrieval system gives for each candidate in the identification process a probability value. It is shown that these probability values are highly influenced by the reproducibility of the retention parameters of the analytical systems used. Explanations for these phenomena are given.

Keywords:
toxicology, drug identification, computers, chromatographic analysis, systematic toxicological analysis, substance identification, data retrieval, thin-layer chromatography, gas liquid chromatography

Paper ID: JFS11048J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS11048J
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