Abstract

European Journal of Mass Spectrometry
Volume 12 Issue 4, Pages 253–259 (2006)
doi: 10.1255/ejms.811

Fingerprinting of 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) markers by desorption/ionization on porous silicon

Agnieszka Kraj,^a,* Małgorzta Świst,^a,bAnna Strugala,^a,d Andrzej Parczewski^a,b and Jerzy Silberring^a,c
aDepartment of Neurobiochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Regional Laboratory, Jagiellonian University, Ingardena 3, 30-060 Kraków, Poland. E-mail: sciubisz@chemia.uj.edu.pl
^bInstitute of Forensic Research, Westerplatte 9, 31-033 Kraków, Poland
^cCentre for Polymer Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. M.Skłodowskiej-Curie 34, 41-819 Zabrze, Poland
^dDepartment of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Box 591, 751 24 Uppsala,Sweden

Desorption/ionization on porous silicon (DIOS) is a method which extends the application range of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry. This technique eliminates matrix background in the low mass range, therefore, DIOS is especially advantageous in research on small organic molecules and their metabolites in biological samples. DIOS mass spectrometry was applied for MDMA (3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, Ecstasy) impurities identification. Trace components profiling enables to identify by-products characteristic for the synthesis route of MDMA. Ecstasy, synthetic psychoactive drug is highly popular among young people, and often called as for recreational drug, most commonly used during disco parties. MDMA enhances feeling of euphoria by increasing the level of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine, and causes acute behavioral and psychological effects. MDMA is almost exclusively produced illegally, primarily in Western Europe. The new method for MDMA impurities profiling has been developed to trace the origin of MDMA pills. For comparison and classification of the impurity profiles, the principal components analysis was used.

Keywords: Ecstasy, MDMA, impurities profiling, DIOS, MALDI, TOF, principal components analysis, mass spectrometry, substances of abuse.

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