Skip to main content

Combined Fourier-transform infrared imaging and desorption electrospray-ionization linear ion-trap mass spectrometry for analysis of counterfeit antimalarial tablets

Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry volume 387, pages 551–559 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

This paper reports use of a combination of Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic imaging and desorption electrospray ionization linear ion-trap mass spectrometry (DESI MS) for characterization of counterfeit pharmaceutical tablets. The counterfeit artesunate antimalarial tablets were analyzed by both techniques. The results obtained revealed the ability of FTIR imaging in non-destructive micro-attenuated total reflection (ATR) mode to detect the distribution of all components in the tablet, the identities of which were confirmed by DESI MS. Chemical images of the tablets were obtained with high spatial resolution. The FTIR spectroscopic imaging method affords inherent chemical specificity with rapid acquisition of data. DESI MS enables high-sensitivity detection of trace organic compounds. Combination of these two orthogonal surface-characterization methods has great potential for detection and analysis of counterfeit tablets in the open air and without sample preparation.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

References

  1. Cockburn R, Newton PN, Agyarko EK, Akunyili D, White NJ (2005) Plos Med 2:302–308

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Newton PN, Green MD, Fernández FM, Day NJP, White NJ (2006) Lancet Infect Dis 6:602–613

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Coghlan A (2006) New Sci 191:8–9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Deisingh AK (2005) Analyst 130:271

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Kazarian SG, Chan KLA (2003) Macromolecules 36:9866–9872

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. van der Weerd J, Kazarian SG (2004) J Controlled Release 98:295–305

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Chan KLA, Hammond SV, Kazarian SG (2003) Anal Chem 75:2140–2146

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Chan KLA, Kazarian SG (2005) J Comb Chem 7:185–189

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Ricci C, Chan KLA, Kazarian SG (2006) Appl Spectrosc 60:1013–1021

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Chan KLA, Elkhider N, Kazarian SG (2005) Chem Eng Res Des 83:1303–1310

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Rafferty DW, Koenig JL (2002) J Controlled Release 83:29–39

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Newton PN, McGready R, Fernandez F, Green MD, Sunjio M, Bruneton C, Phanouvong S, Millet P, Whitty CJM, Talisuna AO, Proux S, Christophel EM, Malenga G, Singhasivanon P, Bojang K, Kaur H, Palmer K, Day NPJ, Greenwood BM, Nosten F, White NJ (2006) Plos Med 3:752–755

    Google Scholar 

  13. De Veij M, Vandenabeele P, Alter Hall K, Fernandez FM, Green MD, White NJ, Dondorp AM, Newton PN, Moens L (2006) J Raman Spectrosc, accepted for publication

  14. Alter Hall K, Newton PN, Green MD, De Veij M, Vandenabeele P, Pizzanelli D, Mayxay M, Dondorp A, White NJ, Fernandez FM (2006) Am J Trop Med Hyg, accepted for publication

  15. Newton P (2001) Lancet 358:246

    Google Scholar 

  16. Takats Z, Wiseman JM, Gologan B, Cooks RG (2004) Science 306:471–473

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Fernández FM, Cody RB, Green MD, Hampton CY, McGready R, Sengaloundeth S, White NJ, Newton PN (2006) Chem Med Chem 1:702–705

    Google Scholar 

  18. Dondorp AM, Desakorn V, Pongtavornpinyo W, Sahassananda D, Silamut K, Chotivanich K, Newton PN, Pitisuttithum P, Smithyman AM, White NJ, Day NPJ (2005) Plos Med 2:788–797

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Burka EM, Curbelo R (2000) US Patent 6, 141, 100

  20. Kapetanaki S, Varotsis C (2001) J Med Chem 44:3150–3156

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Kalasinsky VF, Jenkins HM, Johnson FB (2002) Vib Spectrosc 28:199–207

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Stefansson M, Sjoberg PJR, Markides KE (1996) Anal Chem 68:1792–1797

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Nyadong L, Newton PN, Green M, De Jesus V, Fernandez FM (2006) Anal Chem, in preparation

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank EPSRC for support (Grant EP/C532678/1). L.N. thanks the US Pharmacopeia for a scholarship that supports his participation in this project. FMF thanks the Society of Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh for a starter grant. We thank all those who collected samples, the Food and Drug Department and Food and Drug Quality Control Centre of the Ministry of Health, Lao PDR. The collection of samples was funded by the British Embassy, Bangkok, and the Wellcome Trust (UK). We thank Professors Nicholas White and Nicholas Day for their help.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK

    Camilla Ricci & Sergei G. Kazarian

  2. School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA

    Leonard Nyadong & Facundo M. Fernandez

  3. Wellcome Trust-Mahosot Hospital-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Collaboration, Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Laos

    Paul N. Newton

  4. Centre for Clinical Vaccinology and Tropical Medicine, Churchill Hospital, Oxford University, Oxford, OX3 7LJ, UK

    Paul N. Newton

Authors
  1. Camilla Ricci
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Leonard Nyadong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Facundo M. Fernandez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Paul N. Newton
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Sergei G. Kazarian
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sergei G. Kazarian.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ricci, C., Nyadong, L., Fernandez, F.M. et al. Combined Fourier-transform infrared imaging and desorption electrospray-ionization linear ion-trap mass spectrometry for analysis of counterfeit antimalarial tablets. Anal Bioanal Chem 387, 551–559 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-006-0950-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-006-0950-z

Keywords

  • Fake drugs
  • Malaria
  • Chemical imaging
  • Mass spectrometry
  • Forensic
  • Artesunate