Rapid determination of carbohydrates in heroin drug seizures using capillary electrophoresis with short-end injection.

Abstract

A simple and rapid method for the analysis of carbohydrates in heroin samples by capillary electrophoresis utilizing a borate complexation method is described. Separations were performed using an uncoated fused silica capillary, 50 cm x 50 micro I.D. x 360 microm O.D. with an effective separation length of 9 cm. The system was run at 60 degrees C with an applied voltage of -8 kilovolts. Injection of each sample was for 1 sec at -50 mbar. UV detection was employed with the wavelength set at 195 nm. The background electrolyte consisted of 65 mM borate, pH 12.0. Samples and standards were prepared in the run buffer containing 2 mg/mL of mannose as an internal standard. Under these conditions a test mixture containing glucose, sucrose, lactose, mannitol and mannose as an internal standard was resolved within 5 min. The method was used to determine the concentration of carbohydrates in heroin seizure samples and synthetic heroin samples. The results were in good agreement with the reported values.

• Authors: Nicole Anastos, Neil W Barnett, Simon W Lewis, James R Pearson, K Paul Kirkbride
• Journal: Journal of forensic sciences (J Forensic Sci) Vol. 50 Issue 5 Pg. 1039-43 (Sep 2005) ISSN: 0022-1198 [Print] United States
• PMID: 16225208 (Publication Type: Journal Article)