Laboratory challenges of detecting synthetic cannabinoids in urine samples - a new sample preparation method

Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) put the spotlight on the designer drugs’ market due to their dangerous – in some cases lethal – biological effects and easy accessibility. They are more potent than the well-known Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) thanks to their special pharmacodynamic properties. The number of novel SCs on the market and of their users is growing which urges the forensic laboratories to use precise SCs detection methods routinely. Our aim was to develop a new sample preparation method for the newest 24 SCs analysis in urine samples achieving high recovery of SCs. Ethyl acetate was used instead of the traditional acetonitrile, and the targeted analysis of SCs was performed by use of liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. The related matrix effect and process efficiency of sample preparation method were taken in consideration as well in our study