Rapid Drug Screening Method by GC-TOFMS Analysis with the Pegasus HT for 12 Drugs of Abuse inUnder 5Minutes

Significance of the topic

Increasing demand for rapid, accurate confirmation of illicit substances in forensic laboratories to address sample backlogs and high global drug use rates highlights the importance of streamlined analytical methods.

Objectives and overview of the study

This work aimed to develop and validate a fast screening protocol for twelve drugs of abuse across four chemical classes using gas chromatography coupled to time of flight mass spectrometry on a Pegasus HT instrument.

Methodology and instrumentation

A mixture of 12 standard drugs plus acetylcodeine was prepared in methanol. Analysis employed a LECO Pegasus HT TOFMS with an Agilent 6890 GC. Key conditions included a Rxi5ms capillary column, helium carrier gas at 2 ml min1, split injection, oven temperature program from 125 to 300C at 70C per minute, and 10 spectra per second acquisition over a mass range of 40 to 450 amu. Data processing used LECO ChromaTOF.

Main results and discussion

The method achieved baseline separation and positive identification of all target analytes plus acetylcodeine in under 5 minutes with an average library match score of 87%. A tenfold repeatability study confirmed robust retention time reproducibility and mass spectral consistency. Deconvolution algorithms generated clean spectra that matched NIST library entries with similarity scores up to 893 for oxycodone. Fast acquisition rates enabled clear resolution of closely eluting compounds.

Benefits and practical applications

Rapid throughput and definitive mass spectral confirmation reduce sample backlog in forensic settings. Non derivatized analysis and minimal sample preparation simplify workflows and cut operational costs. The approach supports high volume screening in crime laboratories and quality control environments.

Future trends and potential applications

Advancements in high speed GC TOFMS will allow expansion to more complex matrices, broader compound panels, and integration with automated sample handling. Combining this method with hybrid data analysis tools and library augmentation may further improve detection of emerging synthetic drugs.

Conclusion

The developed GC TOFMS protocol on the Pegasus HT system provides a fast, reliable platform for screening drugs of abuse in under 5 minutes. Its high sensitivity, spectral fidelity, and throughput make it a valuable tool in forensic and analytical laboratories.

Reference

No literature references were provided in the original document.