Applications of Gas Chromatography and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry for the Determination of Illegal Drugs Used in Drink Spiking
Drink spiking is a significant public safety issue, often linked to crimes such as theft and sexual assault. The detection of drugs used in these incidents is challenging due to the low concentrations (<ng) and complex matrices involved. This review explores the application of gas chromatography...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-06-01
|
| Series: | Chemosensors |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9040/13/6/205 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849432700513943552 |
|---|---|
| author | Hesham Kisher Oliver Gould Kevin C. Honeychurch |
| author_facet | Hesham Kisher Oliver Gould Kevin C. Honeychurch |
| author_sort | Hesham Kisher |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Drink spiking is a significant public safety issue, often linked to crimes such as theft and sexual assault. The detection of drugs used in these incidents is challenging due to the low concentrations (<ng) and complex matrices involved. This review explores the application of gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to identify drugs in spiked beverages. GC-MS offers high sensitivity and specificity, and is capable of detecting drugs at ng/mL levels and distinguishing between compounds with similar structures. This review highlights the advantages of GC-MS, including its ability to simultaneously analyze multiple substances and provide detailed molecular information. Various methods for detecting gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), benzodiazepines, and other drugs in beverages are discussed, emphasizing the importance of derivatization to enhance their volatility and the method’s chromatographic performance. The paper also addresses the challenges of analyzing complex beverage matrices and the need for continuous improvement in detection techniques to keep pace with the evolving drug market. Overall, GC and GC-MS are powerful tools for forensic analysis in drink spiking cases, offering reliable and accurate results, which are essential for legal and investigative processes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1126c83544ce423a86e2ef418a588f38 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2227-9040 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Chemosensors |
| spelling | doaj-art-1126c83544ce423a86e2ef418a588f382025-08-20T03:27:18ZengMDPI AGChemosensors2227-90402025-06-0113620510.3390/chemosensors13060205Applications of Gas Chromatography and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry for the Determination of Illegal Drugs Used in Drink SpikingHesham Kisher0Oliver Gould1Kevin C. Honeychurch2School of Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, UKSchool of Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, UKSchool of Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, UKDrink spiking is a significant public safety issue, often linked to crimes such as theft and sexual assault. The detection of drugs used in these incidents is challenging due to the low concentrations (<ng) and complex matrices involved. This review explores the application of gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to identify drugs in spiked beverages. GC-MS offers high sensitivity and specificity, and is capable of detecting drugs at ng/mL levels and distinguishing between compounds with similar structures. This review highlights the advantages of GC-MS, including its ability to simultaneously analyze multiple substances and provide detailed molecular information. Various methods for detecting gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), benzodiazepines, and other drugs in beverages are discussed, emphasizing the importance of derivatization to enhance their volatility and the method’s chromatographic performance. The paper also addresses the challenges of analyzing complex beverage matrices and the need for continuous improvement in detection techniques to keep pace with the evolving drug market. Overall, GC and GC-MS are powerful tools for forensic analysis in drink spiking cases, offering reliable and accurate results, which are essential for legal and investigative processes.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9040/13/6/205gas chromatography (GC)mass spectrometry (MS)drink spikingforensic analysisgamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB)benzodiazepines |
| spellingShingle | Hesham Kisher Oliver Gould Kevin C. Honeychurch Applications of Gas Chromatography and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry for the Determination of Illegal Drugs Used in Drink Spiking Chemosensors gas chromatography (GC) mass spectrometry (MS) drink spiking forensic analysis gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) benzodiazepines |
| title | Applications of Gas Chromatography and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry for the Determination of Illegal Drugs Used in Drink Spiking |
| title_full | Applications of Gas Chromatography and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry for the Determination of Illegal Drugs Used in Drink Spiking |
| title_fullStr | Applications of Gas Chromatography and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry for the Determination of Illegal Drugs Used in Drink Spiking |
| title_full_unstemmed | Applications of Gas Chromatography and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry for the Determination of Illegal Drugs Used in Drink Spiking |
| title_short | Applications of Gas Chromatography and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry for the Determination of Illegal Drugs Used in Drink Spiking |
| title_sort | applications of gas chromatography and gas chromatography mass spectrometry for the determination of illegal drugs used in drink spiking |
| topic | gas chromatography (GC) mass spectrometry (MS) drink spiking forensic analysis gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) benzodiazepines |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9040/13/6/205 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT heshamkisher applicationsofgaschromatographyandgaschromatographymassspectrometryforthedeterminationofillegaldrugsusedindrinkspiking AT olivergould applicationsofgaschromatographyandgaschromatographymassspectrometryforthedeterminationofillegaldrugsusedindrinkspiking AT kevinchoneychurch applicationsofgaschromatographyandgaschromatographymassspectrometryforthedeterminationofillegaldrugsusedindrinkspiking |