THIN-LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHIC SCREENKG AND CONFIRMATION OF BASIC DRUGS OF ABUSE IN URINE
Thin-layer chromatographic procedures are presented for the positive identification of methadone, primary metabolite of methadone (2-ethytidine-L15-di_methyi-3,3_dEpE,enytpyrra~d~~e), propoxyphene, oorprapoxyphene, cocaine, benzoylecganine, merhaquaIone, and phencycfidine from wine specimens. InltiaI screening of specimens is done by deve!oplng plates in ethyl acetate-methanof-diethylamine (90:EO:I.6). Samples screened positive are confirmed in methylene chIaride--methyl ethyl ketone-concentrated ammonium hydroxide (74:25 :0.8), depending on the drug{sf indicated by the screening procedure. The Imethod is quite sensitive, detecting most of the listed drugs at Ievels of I .a pg/ml or less.
ENTRODUCflOP*'
The widespread use and abuse of drugs necessitate simple and rapid methods Wat can be used to detect drugs in urine specimens. In this study we present ii thini.!lyer chromatogra&ic (TLC) procedure to detect a groap of basic drugs including r ?ethaquzlone, propoxyphene, cocaine, phencycfidine and methadone afong with same C: their priarary metabolites such as norpropoxyphene, beazoyfecgonine, and 2-L i hylidine-l,5-&methyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidie.
In our scnxxr,ing procedure, urine specimens are made alkaline and extracted \ %h an organic solvent. The organic layer, containing the basic drugs, is evaporated r. dryness and reconstituted fn a small volume of methanol. HaIf of the concentrate i spotted on a TLC @ate while the remaining concentrate is saved for possible co%f. mation analysis. ne p&e is dsefoped in the screening sofve~~t system ethyl s-.