What is the role of gas chromatography mass spectroscopy in drug testing?
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry analysis has been used in the detection of illegal drugs and substances, as well as in forensic toxicology. Poisons and other drugs that may be taken by victims, suspects and dead bodies can be identified by a GC/MS test.
How does mass spectrometry identify drugs?
Mass spectrometry (MS) is the most discriminatory of the drug testing techniques. Mass spectrometry measures the precise molecular mass of ions as determined by their mass to charge ratio (m/z) and is the current gold standard in forensic drug analysis [17]. Hard techniques are limited to detecting small molecules.
What are practical mass spectrometry applications?
Specific applications of mass spectrometry include drug testing and discovery, food contamination detection, pesticide residue analysis, isotope ratio determination, protein identification, and carbon dating.
Which interface is used to couple GC-MS?
The most extensively used interfaces for a GC-MS are electron impact ionization (EI) and chemical ionization (CI) modes.
How is gas chromatography and mass spectrometry a practical guide?
— Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry: A Practical Guide “GC-MS is the synergistic combination of two powerful microanalytical techniques. The gas chromatograph separates the components of a mixture in time, and the mass spectrometer provides information that aids in the structural identification of each component.”
How is mass spectrometry used to screen for drugs?
Other laboratories use a combination of various techniques such as immunoassays, colorimetric tests, and mass spectrometry to provide more detailed comprehensive drug screening. Mass spectrometry, gas or liquid, can screen for hundreds of drugs and is often considered the gold standard for comprehensive drug screening.
How does gas chromatography help in drug screening?
Comprehensive Urine Drug Screen by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) Drug screening is an essential component of clinical toxicology laboratory service. Some laboratories use only automated chemistry analyzers for limited screening of drugs of abuse and few other drugs.
What happens when methane is introduced to a mass spectrometer?
Chemical ionization. In chemical ionization a reagent gas, typically methane or ammonia is introduced into the mass spectrometer. Depending on the technique (positive CI or negative CI) chosen, this reagent gas will interact with the electrons and analyte and cause a ‘soft’ ionization of the molecule of interest.