Journal Published Online: 01 May 1999
Volume 44, Issue 3

Separation of Enantiomeric Ephedrine and Pseudoephedrine—High Pressure Liquid Chromatography and Capillary Electrophoresis

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine (ψ-ephedrine), frequently found in packaged drugs of abuse, are common over-the-counter pharmaceuticals. Present in high concentrations, these compounds have reportedly caused false identification of methamphetamine in urine specimens. Furthermore, (−)-ephedrine and (+)-ψ-ephedrine are used for manufacturing (+)-methamphetamine. Thus, knowledge on the enantiomeric compositions of these compounds may help identify their sources, providing valuable information to the investigation process. High pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and capillary electrophoresis (CE) methods were evaluated and compared for their application in analyzing the enantiomeric compositions of these two compounds. A chiral column (Supelcosil LC-(S) Naphthyl Urea) was found effective in resolving the resulting four components when derivatized with both of the following two chiral derivatization reagents: N-trifluoroacetyl-l-prolyl chloride (l-TPC) and 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl isothiocyanate (GITC). A C18 column, although less effective, can also adequately resolve these four components for identification purposes. With CE, inclusion of 30 mM hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin in 50 mM phosphate buffer (pH 2.5) was very effective in resolving all four components using an uncoated fused silica capillary without prior derivatization.

Author Information

Iwanicki, RM
Graduate Program in Forensic Science and Forensic Science Doctoral Training Program, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL Criminalistics Section, Crime Laboratory, Department of State Police, The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Sudbury, MA
Maier, K
Graduate Program in Forensic Science and Forensic Science Doctoral Training Program, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL Murty Pharmaceuticals, Lexington, KY
Zlotnick, JA
Graduate Program in Forensic Science and Forensic Science Doctoral Training Program, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
Liu, RH
Graduate Program in Forensic Science and Forensic Science Doctoral Training Program, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
Kuo, T-L
National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
Tagliaro, F
Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
Pages: 5
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Stock #: JFS14496J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS14496J