ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 9

Unequivocal Identification of Several Common Adulterants and Diluents in Street Samples of Cocaine by Infrared Spectroscopy
Cameán, A
Professor of Toxicology, Nutrition and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Seville,

López-Artíguez, M
Toxicological Chemist, Chemistry Department, National Institute of Toxicology, Department of Seville,

Repetto, M
Director, National Institute of Toxicology,

(Received 27 July 1994; accepted 16 December 1994)

Abstract

This paper describes an improved method for the direct identification of adulterants and diluents in street samples of cocaine using infrared spectroscopy. The proposed method requires a versatile software package designed for handling infrared data on a personal computer. The spectra of the mixtures of cocaine.HCl and several common adulterants (caffeine, procaine.HCl, lidocaine.HCl and piracetam) and diluents (glucose, lactose, sucrose, starch and mannitol) were recorded. Two regions were chosen in the infrared spectra: 1800–1500 cm⁻¹, which includes all the assayed adulterants, and 960–860 cm⁻¹, for sugars and polyalcohols. The display of the different spectra through the computerized program allowed the identification of the above mentioned substances even at 5% concentration.

Keywords:
toxicology, cocaine, adulterants, diluents, infrared analysis

Paper ID: JFS13834J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS13834J
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