Rapid, Automated LC-MS/MS Analysis of Drugs of Abuse in Oral Fluid Using Dispersive Pipette XTRaction

Process up to 96 samples in < 10 minutes

Analysis of oral fluid generally requires some type of sample preparation to concentrate the analyte and reduce matrix effects for sensitive and reproducible analyses. The use of Dispersive Pipette XTRaction™ (XTR) tips has been shown to offer advantages over traditional solid-phase extraction (SPE) products in terms of speed and seamless integration with automated liquid handlers.

Most SPE methods for analyzing drugs of abuse in oral fluid incorporate a strong acid in order to achieve high recoveries of basic drugs using strong cation exchange sorbent. However, there have been reports1 that this acid may lead to conversion of cannabidiol (CBD) to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). In this research study, we used mixed mode XTR tips without the addition of a strong acid in order to avoid possible conversion of CBD to THC. This study focuses on analyzing 45 drugs of abuse commonly found in driving-under-the-influence (DUI) cases.

The analysis uses a single extraction method and high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). A separate LC-MS/MS method is also presented for differentiation of delta-8 and delta-9 THC (for positive THC cases). We evaluated whether XTR™ tips for INTip SPE could be used for simultaneously extracting a 45 drug/metabolite panel from Quantisal™-collected oral fluid suitable for Driving Under the Influence of Drugs (DUID) testing.

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Sample Preparation Workflow

1 CONDITIONAspirate and dispense 800 μL of 50% MeOH x2
2 BIND ANALYTESAspirate and dispense sample solution x6 using Mixed Mode WAX + SCX sorbent chemistry in XTR tips
3 WASHAspirate and dispense 800 μL of DI Water x2
4 ELUTE ANALYTESAspirate and dispense 500 μL 48/48/4% ACN/MeOH/NH4OH x2

About XTR Tips

XTR tips utilize a patented Dispersive Pipette XTRaction technology and is the flagship product of DPX. XTR tips can be used for cleanup or bind-wash-elute protocols for a wide variety of sample preparation applications.

Dispersive Pipette XTRaction supports:

  • Better quality data
  • Fewer repeat batches
  • Scale production
  • Low sample volumes
  • Less internal standard, solvent, enzyme, evaporation time & instrument maintenance

XTR tips have been used for extraction and cleanup methods for clinical applications and forensic toxicology.