ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 7

Application of the Combined Use of HPLC/Diode Array Detection and Capillary GC/Nitrogen Phosphorus Detection for the Rapid Analysis of Illicit Heroin and Cocaine Samples
Hernández, AF
Toxicologist, chief toxicologist, toxicologist, Clinical biochemist and chairman, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada,

Pla, A
Toxicologist, chief toxicologist, toxicologist, Clinical biochemist and chairman, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada,

Villanueva, E
Toxicologist, chief toxicologist, toxicologist, Clinical biochemist and chairman, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada,

Gil, F
Toxicologist, chief toxicologist, toxicologist, Clinical biochemist and chairman, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada,

Moliz, J
Chemist, Laboratory for Instrumental Analysis, University of Granada,

Gonzalvo, MC
Toxicologist, chief toxicologist, toxicologist, Clinical biochemist and chairman, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada,

(Received 30 August 1991; accepted 28 January 1992)

Abstract

A method using a combination of high-performance liquid chromatography and diode array detection (HPLC/DAD) with a methanol/perchlorate buffer pH 2.5 mobile phase and reverse phase C-18 column and capillary gas chromatography with nitrogen phosphorus detection (GC/NPD) has been developed for the rapid, sensitive and accurate analysis of illicit samples of heroin or cocaine. Retention times and UV-spectra were used for the identification of various adulterants and synthetic by-products in street samples. This method is compared with gas-chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Forty street samples were analyzed by both methods. It is concluded that the combined use of HPLC/DAD and GC/NPD as a routine analytical procedure for the analysis of illicit samples could be a good alternative to GC/MS for forensic purposes. It is due to their high accessibility and the possibility to perform simultaneously qualitative and quantitative analysis.

Keywords:
toxicology, illicit samples, adulterants, heroin, cocaine, TLC, HPLC/DAD, GC/NPD, GC/MS

Paper ID: JFS13315J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS13315J
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