Analysis of opiates in urine using microextraction by packed sorbent and gas Chromatography- Tandem mass spectrometry

Opiates recreational consumption has always been a concern in society, public health, and in clinical toxicology analysis. The aim of this study was to develop and fully validate an analytical method, which was simple and rapid for the determination of tramadol, codeine, morphine, 6- acetylcodeine, 6-monoacetylmorphine and fentanyl using gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. The procedure includes the use of microextraction by packed sorbent for sample clean-up. A mixed mode sorbent was used, allowing the minimal use of solvents. The method was validated in urine samples, with the ability to detect and quantify all analytes with satisfactory linearity (in the range of 1 – 1000 ng/mL for all analytes, except for fentanyl (10–1000 ng/mL)). Extraction efficiency varied from 17 to 107%, which did not impair sensitivity, taking into account the low LLOQs obtained (1 ng/ mL for all analytes; and 10 ng/mL for fentanyl). The developed procedure proved to be fast, selective, and accurate for use in routine analysis, with a low volume of sample (250 µL).