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Current applications of high-resolution mass spectrometry for the analysis of new psychoactive substances: a critical review

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Abstract

The proliferation of new psychoactive substances (NPS) in recent years has resulted in the development of numerous analytical methods for the detection and identification of known and unknown NPS derivatives. High-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) has been identified as the method of choice for broad screening of NPS in a wide range of analytical contexts because of its ability to measure accurate masses using data-independent acquisition (DIA) techniques. Additionally, it has shown promise for non-targeted screening strategies that have been developed in order to detect and identify novel analogues without the need for certified reference materials (CRMs) or comprehensive mass spectral libraries. This paper reviews the applications of HRMS for the analysis of NPS in forensic drug chemistry and analytical toxicology. It provides an overview of the sample preparation procedures in addition to data acquisition, instrumental analysis, and data processing techniques. Furthermore, it gives an overview of the current state of non-targeted screening strategies with discussion on future directions and perspectives of this technique.

Missing the bullseye - a graphical respresentation of non-targeted screening. Image courtesy of Christian Alonzo

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, New South Wales, 2007, Australia

    Daniel Pasin & Shanlin Fu

  2. Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory, Racing NSW, Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia

    Adam Cawley

  3. Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, NSW Forensic and Analytical Science Service, Lidcombe, New South Wales, 2141, Australia

    Sergei Bidny

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  1. Daniel Pasin
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Pasin, D., Cawley, A., Bidny, S. et al. Current applications of high-resolution mass spectrometry for the analysis of new psychoactive substances: a critical review. Anal Bioanal Chem 409, 5821–5836 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-017-0441-4

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