Clean Screen THC and Robotics

In the area of forensic toxicology, probably the most requested drug analysis is that of THC. Toxicologists around the world are faced with analyzing whole blood samples for the presence of THC and its metabolites: Hydroxy-THC and Carboxy-THC. In performing this analysis, they can not only offer quantifiable concentrations but also an interpretation into impairment with regards to operating a motor vehicle. In order to perform this type of testing in a timely fashion, analysts are being asked to go to lower and lower concentrations in less and less time. UCT has always been recognized as producing the finest SPE sorbent in the world with this goal in mind, Clean Screen THC (CSTHC).

In a study accepted for publication by Journal of Forensic Toxicology and Pharmacology in December 2012, Dr Jeff Hackett (in conjunction with a major crime laboratory) employed this sorbent on board a robotic SPE workstation (Janus) to process the extraction of THC and its metabolites from whole blood samples. The robotic workstation permitted analysts to conduct other tasks while the SPE operation
was performed. The extraction process allowed concentrations of down to 0.5 ng/ mL of all of the cannabinoids to be detected by LC-MS/MS, with recoveries greater than 95%, and minimal matrix effects. The time savings by the robotic workstation over manual preparation was significant. This report offers another exciting avenue for the premier THC SPE sorbent in the area of analytical forensic toxicology.

Clean Screen THC SPE and NIDA study into THC Tolerance

In the area of forensic toxicology, the effect of drugs such as Cannabis on the psychomotor skills of humans is a question faced by many testifying analysts. In order to offer an interpretation, analysts rely not only on their own findings, but on data obtained and published from sources of the highest integrity. The toxicology laboratories at NIDA (The National Institute on Drug Abuse) are acclaimed as one of the worlds centers of excellence when it comes to the study of THC and its metabolites and human performance. At NIDA, Baltimore, Maryland, USA, analysts employed UCT Inc. Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) columns for extracting THC and the related metabolites (THC-OH, and THC-COOH) from plasma samples.

This was demonstrated in a recently published report "Tolerance to Effects of High-Dose Oral D9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and Plasma Cannabinoid Concentrations in Male Daily Cannabis Smokers" in Journal of Analytical Toxicology by David A.Gorelick et al (from the team of Dr. Marilyn Huestis). This group used UCTs ZSTHC020 SPE column to study the plasma concentrations of these compounds after high dose ingestions. The Clean Screen THC sorbent has also been employed by many forensic toxicology laboratories around the globe when clean extractions, high recoveries and high reproducibility are desired.

UCT's world-class QuEChERS

UCT QuEChERS products are favored by private and government labs on 6 continents.  With our large selection of high quality products and capability to customize UCT QuEChERS products are constantly in high demand.  In addition, all of our QuEChERS products are supported by our superior technical team.

QuEChERS was originally developed by Anastassiades and Lehotay, et al. in 2003, for the extraction and analysis of moderately polar to non-polar pesticides from fruits and vegetables.  At the request of the USDA, UCT became the first commercial producer of QuEChERS kits.  Since then, QuEChERS has been expanded to include the extraction of a huge variety of analytes from nearly every agricultural commodity.
As the scope of QuEChERS has expanded, so has the range of QuEChERS products and applications offered by UCT.  The most novel of our developments is ChloroFiltr®.  ChloroFiltr® is used in the dSPE clean-up step to remove chlorophyll from the QuEChERS extract.  Without ChloroFiltr®, analysts would be forced to use graphitized carbon black (GCB) which also removes planar pesticides.  ChloroFiltr® only removes chlorophyll without removing pesticides.  A second product unique to UCT is the QuICK QuEChERS Push-Thru cartridge.  The cartridge contains magnesium sulfate anhydrous and PSA.  Recoveries are comparable to the traditional dSPE product, but extracts are remarkably cleaner.  With the use of a disposable syringe to “push” the QuEChERS extract through the cartridge, QuICK QuEChERS is much faster than dSPE and a centrifuge is not required.

Fluoroamphetamine and Clean Screen DAU

The number of new designer drugs is steadily rising and forensic toxicologists are being faced with providing results to assist coroners/medical examiners/enforcement agencies regarding the concentrations of these drugs in various bio-fluids. Forensic toxicologists know that the most important step is isolating these drugs from different, and often difficult matrices.  

In a recent report in ToxTalk (October 2013, pp14-15), Dr. Mark Lichtenwalner and his team (Onondaga County Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Syracuse NY) were faced with not only identifying and confirming, but offering results of the concentrations of 4-Fluoroamphetamine in post mortem and ante mortem samples of blood. Dr. Lichtenwalner employed the Clean Screen ZSDAU020 SPE column as the sorbent for this analysis, along with GC-MS. From his data, he was able to provide the medical examiners with an accurate time line of the drug in this case. This published report demonstrates that the sorbents made by UCT are applicable not only to a wide range of well known drug classes and medications but are able to be used with newer  drug classes also.

Gulf Coast Conference, Galveston, TX, October 16-17 2012

The Gulf Coast Conference is a non-profit organization oriented toward the education and advancement of knowledge of Chemical Analysis Technology associated with the Petrochemical, Refining, and Environmental fields, and will forward this goal through annual technical meetings, regular communications, and training courses focused on these fields.

On Tuesday, October 16th, UCT's Don Shelly will be giving a workshop titled, "The Chemistry of Solid Phase Extraction or Is that all there is to it?", at the Gulf Coast Conference (GCC). This workshop will cover the basics of solid phase extraction including normal(HILIC)phase, reverse phase, ion exchange and mixed mode mechanisms. The topics will be presented in simple terms and will also cover methodologies and troubleshooting. Workshop Presentation - 90 minutes Abstract # 003 Tuesday - 10:45 AM - Ivy II.

UCT exhibits at SAT Fall Meeting, Norman, OK, October 4th- 6th, 2012

UCT always proudly supports regional meetings for Forensic Toxicologists.   At this years Fall meeting of the Southwestern Association of Toxicologists (SAT) held in Norman, OK, UCT will be represented by Andrew Johansen. Andrew will be on hand throughout the meeting to discuss UCT methods, applications and products for use in the field of Forensic Toxicology.  UCT is recognized for developing one of the first SPE methodologies for use with Spice Drugs and metabolites in blood and urine.  Methods for analysis of bathsalts are also available.  Please visit Andrew at the UCT booth to learn more about Clean Screen, Xcel and FASt range of technologies as well as our derivatizing reagents and manifolds for sample preparation.

In the Journal of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Hedvika Davis, et al, used UCT Specialties silane T2910 (diethylenetriamine trimethoxysilylpropyldiethylenetriamine) in their in vitro CNS myelination model (J. Biomater. Tissue Eng. 2, 206-215, 2012).  The T2910, or DETA, modifies the surface of a glass coverslip.  Motorneurons are then attached to the coverslip via the T2910.  The motorneurons, in turn, were seeded with OPCs (oligiodendrocyte precursor cells) and then allowed to culture.  The DETA used gave the surface the following advantages:

·The tramine moiety of T2910 resembles the structure of spermidine, a well known growth factor

·T2910 is an aminosilane that forms a covalently bound, uniform, self-assembled monolayer on glass surfaces

·At physiologic pH, the amines in T2910 carry partial positive charges, providing a hydrophilic surface that promotes cellular attachment

·T2910 also promotes long-term cell survival because it is non-digestible by matrix proteases secreted by cells.

·By using T2910 micropatterning of the culture can now be performed using photolithorgraphy.  This cannot be performed using current attachment techniques.

UCT Specialties (Petrarch) continues to manufacture high quality specialty silanes, silicones, catalysts and coatings for a vast variety of manufacturing markets.  Coupled with our excellence in the Solid Phase Extraction chromatography markets, this demonstrates UCT Inc. as a leader for your silicon related chemistry products.

UCT Xcel I and Xcel II SPE columns, Hydrocodone

It has been recognized by forensic toxicology laboratories around the world that the abuse of prescription opioids for non-medical use has been on the rise over the past decade. The most commonly abused opioid is hydrocodone, a frequently prescribed pain medication. Laboratories have been requesting a sample prep column that would offer a rapid, efficient and reproducible methodology.  UCT has responded with Xcel I and II SPE columns.

In a study recently published in Journal of Analytical Toxicology (September  (2012;36:507–514))  Sandra Valtier and Vikhyat S. Bebarta of Lackland Air force Base, TX, demonstrated the use of the Xcel I column to determine the metabolites of hydrocodone  i.e.  hydromorphone, norhydrocodone in human urine. Their study describes the excretion profile of hydrocodone, hydromorphone and norhydrocodone in urine following a single dose (10 mg) administration of the drug to human subjects and presents a validated liquid chromatography– tandem mass spectrometry method for analysis of the drug and its metabolites. By showing that a LOQ was 5 ng/mL and LOD was 2.5 ng/mL for hydrocodone and norhydrocodone, and 5 ng/mL for hydromorphone were achievable through the use of Xcel I phase, it demonstrates how effective this SPE sorbent is in analyzing urine for these opiates.

UCT proudly stands behind its support of laboratories facing the increasing number of abused drugs by having a superior portfolio of SPE sorbents under the Clean Screen® banner.  This line also includes the CSDAU and CSTHC range of sorbents, acknowledged around the world for their excellence in drug analysis.

UCT Presentation at STFA Congres (Chambery, France, September 18-21)

UCT is well known and highly regarded around the world for its experience in producing the finest Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) sorbents for the Forensic/Clinical Toxicology and Environmental communities, as well as our line of Petrarch Chemicals (including dertivatizing reagents). In the field of Forensic Toxicology, there is no finer performing SPE column than UCT's flag ship sorbent Clean Screen DAU for the extraction of a diverse range of forensically significant drugs from a wide variety of biological matrices.

At this years Annual Congres of the Societe Francais Toxicologique et Analytique (SFTA) held in Chambery, France, UCT scientist Dr.Jeff Hackett will be presenting some recent research involving the extraction and analysis of Amphetamines (Amphetamine, Methamphetamine, MDA, MDMA) from Hair samples. The research (carried out in collaboration with a major State Crime Laboratory) demonstrates the ability to produce highly reproducible samples, with high recovery values and low matrix effects (at very low concentrations) using small amounts of sample (approx. 10 mg). The use of the Clean Screen DAU in this analysis shows why this is the first choice SPE sorbent for analysts in facilities around the world for drug testing.

N-Octadecyltrichlorosilane (O9750) is used to create single and two-component gradient monolayers on silicon surfaces

Research conducted by Brandon D. Booth and associates at Vanderbilt University (B.D. Booth, et al., Tribological characterization of gradient monolayer films from trichlorosilanes in silicon, Colloids Surf. A: Physicochem. Eng. Aspects (2012)) recently published that n-octadecyltrichlorosilane from UCT Specialties (United Chemical Technologies) was used to create single and two-component gradient monolayers on silicon surfaces. Both of these techniques impart stronger tribological qualities to the surface.  In fact, the two-component gradient monolayer provides a more robust tribological interface demonstrated by increased stability in gradient frictional performance for at least 5 hours of continuous sliding.

UCT Specialties (Petrarch) continues to manufacture high quality specialty silanes, silicones, catalysts and coatings for a vast variety of manufacturing markets.  Coupled with our excellence in the Solid Phase Extraction chromatography markets, this demonstrates UCT Inc. as a leader for your silicon related chemistry products.

Clean Screen DAU and Analysis of Spice Drugs in Athletes

It is known that Synthetic Cannabinoids (Spice Drugs) are found to be used across the whole spectrum of society. Typically analysis is reported by Forensic Toxicologists testing samples obtained from people involved with motoring offenses. Since the Spice Drugs are active at much lower concentrations than the conventional cannabinoids, a very efficient and robust methodology of extraction must be used. UCT Inc, the premier manufacturer of Solid Phase Extraction materials has been at the forefront of this type of analysis with the Clean Screen THC column. The THC column has been shown to be highly efficient in this area of Forensic Drug Testing.

Now in a publication to be seen in Journal of Analytical Toxicology (August 2012), Rebecca Heltsley et al have employed UCT's foremost SPE sorbent Clean Screen DAU in the testing of US athletes for the presence and concentrations of JWH-018, JWH-073, and their respective metabolites. The analytical team were able to detect and quantify the drugs down to 1 ng/mL of urine, with highly reproducible recoveries and minimal matrix effects. This report demonstrates why UCT is the world leader in SPE with Clean Screen DAU and THC SPE columns.

UCT at NEMC, Washington DC, August 6-10 2012

As the world's premier manufacturer of Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) sorbents and products, UCT is at the cutting edge of Environmental Analysis. At this years annual meeting of the National Environmental Monitoring Conference, Washington DC (August 6-10 2012), UCT will be represented by its most senior representatives: Don Shelly, Phil Spraker, and Dr. Xiaoyan Wang.  Don will be giving an informative presentation "An Optimized Method for the Determination of Haloacetic Acids and Dalapon using Quaternary Amine Anion Exchange SPE". This talk will be given on August 8th and 9th.  Dr. Wang will be presenting her work "Determination of Phthalates and Bisphenol A in Bottled Drinking Water" on August 8th. Don and Phil will be at the UCT booth throughout this conference to help and assist with any questions regarding SPE products, methods or applications.

UCT at Alabama State Association of Forensic Sciences (August 7-10 2012)

UCT has always been proud to support the Forensic Sciences community and has done so for over 25 years as the world's premier SPE sorbent manufacturer. UCT often  lends its support to the Forensic Scientists in local regions and this year UCT will be attending the annual meeting of the Alabama State Association of Forensic Sciences held at Orange Beach, AL ( August 7-10 2012).  Our local sales representative will be on hand throughout the conference to answer questions and queries regarding Solid Phase Extraction, applications, and methods that will increase productivity and reduce turnaround times in Forensic Toxicology Laboratories. Please visit the UCT booth and learn how we can assist in making your laboratory more efficient.

UCT at Florida Pesticides and Residue Workshop

UCT will be presenting at this year's annual  FPRW meeting (Florida Pesticide Residue Workshop) TradeWinds Island Grand, St. Pete Beach, Florida  July 15th-18th.  Accompanying Michael Telepchak, FPRW president elect, will be Mike Kofel, Don Shelly, Jessica Robertson and Dr. Brian Kinsella.  UCT will be presenting work on the Determination of Carbendazim in Orange Juice by QuEChERS and LC/MS/MS Detection , Determination of PAHs in Fish by QuEChERS Extraction and Dual Layer SPE Cleanup, and Evaluating the Effectiveness of Incorporating Ceramic Homogenizers in the QuEChERS Extraction Method.

As part of the meeting, UCT is having a lunch seminar “Strong or Weak Ion Exchange: Their Impact on Extraction Outcomes” which will be given jointly by Michael Telepchak and Dr. Kinsella. This seminar will greatly assist analysts in their use of solid phase extraction for producing highly efficient methodologies in food testing facilities. Dr. Kinsella will also be discussing the extraction and analysis of dye stuff used in fish samples. This methodology employs the UCT CCX column technology.  As UCT is highly regarded in the area of applications, materials and equipment involved in Quechers and Solid Phase Extraction.   Don Shelly, Mike Kofel, Mike Telepchak, Jessica Robertson and Dr. Kinsella will be on hand at the UCT booth (#38-39) to help and assist with queries regarding food testing analysis throughout this conference.  Please stop by and say hello, and join UCT at the Lunch Seminar.

Highlights from SOFT 2012

At this years meeting of the Society of Forensic Toxicologists (SOFT) in Boston USA, UCT SPE products were shown for their high quality and efficiency over a wide range of projects. In a presentation given by Caroline Betit (Laurentian University Ontario,Canada), UCT Clean Screen DAU (CSDAU) was demonstrated in the extraction andanalysis of Pentobarbital in decomposed bone samples using GC-MS. Decomposed samples are always difficult for forensic toxicologists to analyze, and a veryclean extract (as produced by the Clean Screen DAU) is valuable in not only identifying drugs but also in quantifying the results.

The analysis of THC and its metabolites is a subject close to the heart of many forensic toxicologists charged with testing samples and interpreting the results, it is very important that samples can be extracted with high efficiency and reproducibility. In a presentation given by Dr. Gary Milman (NIDA, Baltimore, USA), UCT's StyreScreen THC (SSTHC) was shown to fill the need of high efficiency and reproducibility when analyzing samples of not only smoked cannabis but also synthetic cannabis in a clinical study at NIDA. The SSTHC was able to extract Dronabinol as well as THC, THC-OH, and Carboxy-THC from plasma samples using 2dimensional GC-MS.

In the area of post mortem toxicology, the Clean Screen DAU is world renowned for itsability to extract a wide and diverse range of compounds. Among this widerange, the Opiate class of drugs is no stranger to forensic toxicologists, in two presentations from Cuyahoga County Regional Forensic Science Laboratory (Ohio, USA), Claire Kaspar showed how the CSDAU could be used in the analysis of opiates especially heroin in post mortem cases. Her analysis centered on the determination of opiates in brain tissues as well as post mortem blood samples. The presentations showed off the power of the CSDAU in producing very clean extracts from very difficult matrices  In an independent  study undertaken by the Orange County Crime Laboratory (California, USA), Dani Mata demonstrated that the CSDAU in an automated setting can be used to combine 4 separate opiate analyses into 1 single procedure which not only increases productivity, but also efficiency in terms of instrumental time.  The presentation also showed the power of Solid Phase Extraction over Liquid-Liquid Extraction in the toxicology laboratory.

UCT Poster Presentation at SOFT 2012

Hair analysis for the presence of illicit drugs is becoming one of the most challenging types of forensic toxicological analysis. At this years SOFT meeting, Dr. Jeff Hackett will be presenting the results of a collaborative project involving Amphetamines and Synthetic Cathinones in hair samples (Poster P03). In this work, UCT's flagship sorbent Clean Screen DAU (CSDAU206) was employed to produce a highly efficient validated methodology for the simultaneous extraction of 4 Amphetamines (Amphetamine, methamphetamine, MDA, and  MDMA) and 9 Synthetic Cathinones (Butylone, ethylone, flephedrone, mephedrone, methylone, methedrone, methcathinone (4-MEC), methylenedioxypyravalerone (MDPV) and pyravalerone) from 10 mg samples of hair. This new methodology which involves a short base digestion time followed by SPE and LC-MS/MS permits limits of quantitation (LOQ) of 0.05 ng/ mg, and detection(LOD) of 0.1 ng/ mg of sample to be achieved with excellent recoveries (greater than 95%) and minimal matrix effects (less than 6%). This newer methodology demonstrates the strength of the DAU sorbent in the analysis of not only familiar drugs but new and novel ones as well.

Excellence in SPE Award 2012

Congratulations to Cindy Burbach, Dr. Thomas G. Rosano, and Robert Sears - the 2012 Excellence in SPE award winner.

UCT SPE Award winners 2012

The much anticipated and highly sought after UCT Award for Excellence in SPE is to be presented this year at the SOFT 2012 meeting in Boston, MA. UCT would like to thank all those who submitted entrees. This years winners have been chosen after much deliberation and discussion among the members of UCT selection committee.

This years first award winner is Dr. Thomas G. Rosano, D-ABFT(Albany Medical Center, NY).  This work developed the use of SPE into the medical examiner setting, where a comprehensive drug screening is an essential analytical tool in the investigation of cause and manner of death.  Dr. Rosano and his team have validated non-targeted and targeted screening assays for drugs and metabolites using ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) interfaced with mass spectrometry (MS) in single and tandem stages. For non-targeted screening by UPLC-MS electrospray interface, in-source fragmentation was used along with MS scanning (m/z 80-650) and library search for over 700 drug and metabolite analytes.  Th second award winner is Ms. Cynthia Burbach, MS, Colorado Dept. of Health & Environment, Denver. Ms Burbach's project submission was on the Validation of THC and metabolites in Whole Blood using SPE and LC-MS/MS. In this methodology, THC and it's hyrdroxy and carboxy metabolites were extracted using SPE and analyzed via LC-MS/MS. The SPE method was valid to sub 1 ng/ mL LOD/LOQ with high recoveries and minimal matrix effects. This method is now on the laboratory's book tests for over 40 samples per day. UCT's third award winner was the submission presented by Robert Sears, MS ( The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division). In this submission, a routine method for the analysis of 13 of the most popular Synthetic Cannabinoids in Whole Blood using SPE was validated. This method takes advantage of the high efficiency/ productivity of SPE to produce a method that can be used in a legal-judical system.

UCT salutes this years winners who will be presented with their awards during the SOFT meeting.

N-1-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]-diethylenetriamine (T2910)

Dr. Xiufung Gao and associates at the University of Central Florida (Journal Biomaterials (2012, 33 5723-5731)) have published a paper where N-1-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl] diethylenetriamine (UCT Specialties Part #: T2910) was used in a biological medium to co-culture embryonic motoneurons and proprioceptive sensory neurons from dorsal root ganglia (DRG) in a defined serum-free medium on a synthetic silane substrate. Dr. Gao was researching in-vitro model systems for the study of spinal motor control and related pathologies such as spinal cord injury, muscular dystrophy and spasticity. Previous to this report, the in-vitro synaptic connection between proprioceptive sensory neurons and spinal motoneurons had not been demonstrated.

UCT Specialties manufactures high quality specialty Petrarch silanes, Petrarch silicones, catalysts and coatings for a vast variety of manufacturing markets.

Clean Screen DAU and Analysis of New Pain Medication Drug

Forensic toxicologists that test post mortem samples are often challenged with extracting, identifying, and most importantly quantifying many drugs and their metabolites. This information is vital for medical examiners to offer interpretation into the cause and manner of a particular case. When toxicologists come across a new drug, the challenge becomes the development of a validated method. The Clean Screen DAU column, allows workers in the field of forensic toxicology to do exactly that. This powerful column, with its ability to extract a wide and diverse range of weak acid, neutral and basic drugs was utilized by Scott Larson and the toxicologists of Washington DC Chief Medical Examiner for the analysis of tapentadol and its metabolite N-desmethyltapentadol. The drug which is one of the newer pain medication drugs was extracted and quantified from post mortem samples of blood and tissue samples.

This work was reported in the July 2012 issue of Journal of Analytical Toxicology. The information gained from this analysis allows Forensic Toxicologists working in this field to be confident in the capability of the Clean Screen DAU to extract newer pain management drugs such as tapentadol.

Clean Screen DAU Success in Mummified Body Drug Testing

One of the most difficult sample analysis for Forensic Toxicologists consist of decomposed tissue samples. This is because fatty materials produced by the decomposition process cause issues for instruments due to their solubility in organic solvents. This issue can easily be over overcome by the use of high quality Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) sorbents.

This is the case recently reported in the Journal of Forensic Sciences by Dr. Mario Giusiani and his team ( Department of Neurosciences, University of Pisa, Italy) who analyzed samples from body that had be missing for over 10 years. Samples of tissue were extracted using UCT's flagship sorbent Clean Screen DAU (ZSDAU020).  The team not only identified but also quantified the concentrations of Phenobarbital using GC-MS (without derivatization) in post mortem samples of liver, heart, lung, muscle and skin. This case demonstrates why Clean Screen DAU is the most popular SPE extraction column due to its unmatched analytical performance.

UCT to give QuEChERS talk and more at Midwest AOAC Meeting

UCT Food and Environmental Technical Specialist Don Shelly will be making three presentations at the 31st annual Midwest Section AOAC International Meeting and Exposition in St. Louis, Missouri, June 4 –7.  Don will be speaking on “An Improved Method for the Determination of Haloacetic acids and Dalapon in Water”, “C18 Sorbents and QuEChERS Clean-up:  Are Variations in Pesticide Recoveries Manufacturer Dependent?” and “Modified QuEChERS Procedure for the Analysis of Bisphenol A in Canned Food Products”. 

Visit www.midwestaoac.org/2012.html for more information.

UCT Presents work at TIAFT 2012 (June 3- 8th 2012)

As an active supporter of forensic endeavors around the world, UCT is proud to announce the presentation of research at this years annual meeting of The International Association of Forensic Toxicologists  (TIAFT). This years meeting is being held in the city of Hamamatsu (Japan) and brings together the worlds best toxicologists to discuss new developments in the area of forensic toxicology. UCT is known around the globe for its SPE sorbents and methodologies for assisting analysts extract, confirm and quantify drugs in various types of matrices.

The work being presented at TIAFT2012 involves the analysis of amphetamine type drugs (Amphetamine, Methamphetamine, MDA, amd MDMA) in small samples of hair (10 mg). The extraction was performed (after base digestion of samples) using UCT's flagship sorbent Clean Screen DAU (CSDAU206). Not only was the sorbent able to isolate the drugs, but the highly purified extract when tested by LC-MS/MS showed minimal matrix effects (<6%) and high recoveries (>95%) showing why this sorbent is highly recognised around the world as the market leader in forensic and clinical toxicological analyses for not only the amphetamine drugs but a wide and diverse range of drugs, poisons, and other medications often faced by analysts in these facilities.  

UCT Presentation at AECLDPA, La Rocholle, France, May 24-25 2012

The education of scientists around the world remains an important mission for UCT.  We are proud to announce that our own Dr. Jeff Hackett will be presenting work at the Annual Congress of Association of the Expert Chemists and Laboratories Departmental and Public Analysis (AECLDPA) in La Rochelle, France, May 24th-25th. This meeting brings together the top scientists in the analytical field of veterinary drug analysis.  Dr. Hackett will be discussing the extraction/analysis of beta-agonists and pharmaceutical residues in muscle tissue using UCT's premier solid phase extraction columns and equipment. These include the Clean Screen and XtrackT families of SPE cartridges. UCT is a reknowned manufacturer of SPE sorbents for forensic/clinical toxicology laboratories.  UCT is also known for its support in other areas such as Equine and Veterinary Toxicology. UCT's SPE sorbents are highly regarded for their reproducible results, which means higher productivity, efficiency and less analytical laboratory down time.

UCT Specialties exhibits at the American Coatings Show

UCT Specialties LLC, a leader in the specialized silane industry, will be exhibiting at the American Coatings Show in Indianapolis, Indiana,  May 8th–10th, 2012.  Come visit us at Booth #432 to receive our new 2012 UCT Specialties Catalog as well as brochures for Silane Coupling Agents and our Glass-clad PS200 coating.  We look forward to meeting with you at the show.

UCT Silanes in Microfluidics

UCT is known around the world for its involvement in the specialty silicon manufacturing market as well as a leader in the supply of Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) products for Forensic, Clinical and Environmental laboratories.  As a continuing demonstration of our leadership in the specialty silane arena, products from UCT Specialities are being used to advance the area of Microfluidics and Bio-sensors.

In a recent paper by Dr. Jo Kyoo and associates (Analyst 137, 875-882 (2012)), Tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydroctyl-1-trichlorosilane (UCT Part Number T2492) was used in microfluidic traveling-wave electrophoresis (TWE) as a way to separate several dyestuffs. In this report, T2492 was used as part of the process to produce microfluidic channels.  Without efficient microfluidic channelling, the separation process in the electrophoresis would itself be inefficient.  UCT Specialties continues to manufacture high quality specialty silanes, silicones, catalysts and coatings for a vast variety of manufacturing markets.  Coupled with our excellence in the Solid Phase Extraction markets, this demonstrates UCT Inc. as a leader for your silicon related chemistry products.

UCT Sorbent Approved by EPA for 525.3 Method

UCT is proud to announce that Universal Cartridge ECUNI525 has been approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for Method 525.3 DETERMINATIONOF SEMIVOLATILE ORGANIC CHEMICALS IN DRINKING WATER BY SOLID PHASE EXTRACTION AND CAPILLARY COLUMN GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY/ MASS SPECTROMETRY (GC/MS). After rigorous testing by chemists at UCT and EPA, and full scrutiny of the data by officials at EPA, the agency has included Universal Cartridge ECUNI525, accessories, and the UCT extraction protocol in the 525.3 method (available at www.epa.gov). Final EPA approval of 525.3 is expected in June 2012.

Analysis of Beta Agonist (Ractopamine) by Clean Screen® DAU

UCT is aware of the need for scientists around the globe to monitor the safety of the food we eat. In light of this, UCT has always produced sorbents of the highest quality and efficiency for over 25 years. The flagship of these sorbents is the Clean Screen® DAU, which is the most popular SPE product on the market for extracting drugs from biological fluids and tissues, in both human and animal.

This efficiency for extracting Ractopamine from animal tissue has recently been reported (J. Chromatography B (e-published March 2012)) by Dr. Ana Vulic (Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb) and the staff of the Institute. In this report Dr. Vulic's team analyzed the retina's of food producing pigs that had been dosed with low level concentrations of the drug and compared the levels with non dosed animals. It was found that in using Clean Screen DAU quantitative measurements of ractopamine were able to be made using a LC-MS/MS technique. The team was able to recover over 95% of the drug from the matrix with minimal matrix effects. This is another clear demonstration of the power of this sorbent when employed in the area of drug extraction and isolation.

QuEChERS & Beyond Across The Pond

Michael Telepchak, President and CEO of UCT Inc., will be giving his award-winning presentation, QuEChERS & Beyond, at The Food and Environmental Research Agency (FERA) in Sand Hutton, York UK. The talk is set to take place on April 16th, 2012 at 2pm.  This talk is being presented in conjunction with UCT's distribution partner in the UK,  Presearch Ltd.  Please contact us at info@unitedchem.com should you require more information.

QuICK QuEChERS

UCT’s QuICK QuEChERS cartridge ECPURMPSMC offers a fast and efficient method for QuEChERS extract clean-up. Processing is simple and saves the need for any shaking or centrifugation steps. To use, a disposable syringe in loaded with supernatant and a QuICK QuEChERS cartridge is fitted on the end using the Luer tip. The supernatant is pushed through the cartridge directly into a sample vial; the sample is now ready for GC or LC analysis. The QuICK QuEChERS cartridge significantly reduces handling while increasing laboratory through-put. Each UCT QuICK QuEChERS cartridge contains 110 mg anhydrous MgSO4 and 180 mg of PSA.

In comparative studies with traditional dispersive SPE, QuICK QuEChERS showed excellent recovery and RSD. Click to see results.

Five facts about UCT solid phase extraction

1. UCT is a leading supplier of SPE products for more than 25 years. We have never had a need to resort to false marketing gimmicks because we are always focused producing high quality sample extracts for the bench side analysts.

2. UCT SPE columns are packed into medical grade polypropylene, so analysts will not see organic leachates such as BPA, phthalates, or other persistent organic pollutants.

3. UCT SPE products don't suffer the effects of channeling because we patented the ribbing at the base of the SPE column which ensures the best flow dynamics for SPE.

4. UCT columns are not affected by variation in bed mass because our tubes are packed automatically with state of the art machines which are controlled with highly engineered precision.

5. UCT invented the co-polymeric process of bonding hydrophobic and ionic exchange groups onto a single silica bead, thus analysts can be confident they are using the very best in SPE technology.

Analysis of Cocaine in Post Mortem Samples Using Clean Screen DAU SPE

Post mortem samples present the toxicologist with more challenges than most samples seen in forensic laboratories. The condition and volumes of the matrix can add to difficulties to be overcome. UCT is keenly aware of these issues, and for more than 25 years has offered forensic toxicology analysts the best solution with the well-known Clean Screen DAU Solid Phase Extraction column. This SPE material is unsurpassed, not only in its range of analytes, but in its efficiency in isolating from a wide variety of post mortem matrices. In the recent issue of Journal of Analytical Toxicology (March 2012, pp 141-143) Dr. Juhascik (UMass Memorial Hospital, MA) and his team report the finding of a isopropyl artifact in post mortem samples. The samples were comprehensively and completely analyzed for the presence of cocaine and metabolites. This work follows Dr. Juhascik's work comparing the efficiencies of liquid-liquid extraction vs SPE (Journal of Analytical Toxicology (2009 , 47, 553-557) where they determined that SPE (using Clean Screen DAU) far exceeded the liquid-liquid extraction in performance and efficiency.

UCT presenting at Pittcon 2012

Don Shelly, Technical Specialist for UCT, will be speaking at Pittcon 2012 in Orlando, Florida. The topic will be C18 Sorbents and QuEChERS Clean-Up: Are Variations in Pesticide Recoveries Manufacturer Dependent? Don’s presentation will begin at 3:35 PM in room 307A at the session Food Science: Applications. Don will also be the Session Chair. He invites all Pittcon attendees involved in food testing to attend this important session. It will take place Sunday, March 11th at 1:00 PM.

AAFS 2012: Analysis of Synthetic Cannabinoid by LC/MS/MS & GC/MS (Feb 25 1030-1050am)

The world of synthetic cannabinoids, i.e. The Spice drugs, is a complicated one. Not only are these compounds not derived from the cannabis plant but they are more resistant to testing by conventional immunoassay screens. The spice drugs consist of three major sets, those derived from the work of Prof. John Huffman's group (JWH compounds), those derived from the work at the Hebrew University (HU compounds), and the compounds derived from the work of Prof. Makriyanni's group (AM compounds). These materials are typically sprayed onto plant like material (or herbage), and allowed to dry off. The plant material is then bagged for supply. In analyzing the herbal material for spice drugs, the analytical chemist has to remove this plant material to provide an identification and quantification of the amount of drug present.

In this study (in collaboration with a major crime laboratory), material suspected of containing spice drug material was sonicated in methanol, a portion of the plant extract taken and diluted with an aqueous buffer containing an internal standard. This solution was applied to UCT's mixed mode Clean Screen THC (CSTHC206) SPE column. This SPE column is recognized around the world for producing the cleanest cannabinoid extracts. The column was washed, dried and eluted with an organic solvent system. The extracts were analyzed by standard gas chromatography- mass spectrometer (GC-MS) and found to contain AM2201. The SPE extracts were also analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) where the samples were quantified. The recoveries from the SPE extraction were found to be greater than 90 %, they also showed minimal matrix effects which demonstrates the cleanness of the SPE methodology. This procedure should greatly assist controlled substance analysts in the testing of plant/herbage material for the presence of spice type drugs.

AAFS 2012: Hair Analysis of Amphetamine using SPE & LC-MS/MS (Feb 22 730-900pm)

Apart from the standard matrices (blood, urine, and tissues) submitted to analytical toxicologist for drug testing, samples of hair are now becoming more and more popular are a means of determining drug exposure in individuals. Hair, because of its consistent growth rate can be analyzed for drug taking patterns in chronic users. The time window of detection can be viewed in terms of weeks and months, as opposed to hours and days for blood and urine. In this study (in collaboration with a major crime laboratory), hair samples from an individual subject were tested for the presence of several amphetamine type drugs (amphetamine, methamphetamine, methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), and methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)). This process involved digesting the samples with a strong base in the presence of deuterated internal standards, neutralizing, and extracting the digest using Clean Screen DAU (CSDAU206) SPE columns. After extraction, the test samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The recoveries of the individual amphetamine type drugs were found to be greater than 95%, with minimal matrix effects (less than 6%). The limits of detection and quantification for this procedure were 0.05, and 0.1 ng per mg of sample which demonstrates not only the sensitivity of the method but also the cleanliness of the extracts being analyzed. This method employed only 10 mg of sample for analysis which also demonstrates the efficiency of the SPE methodology.

UCT Specialties chemicals, 3 diverse uses

UCT manufactures an extensive line of silanes, fluid and reactive silicones, homogeneous platinum catalysts and inhibitors for a wide variety of applications. This month we will highlight three diverse areas for these materials by citing recent patents and patent applications. In US Patent 7,953,311, Julian Mullany et al describes the use of a silicone gel sealant for fiber optic communications cable enclosure assemblies. Here is an excerpt from the patent; “Because curing is generally involved in the preparation of these gels, they are sometimes referred to as thermosetting gels. The gel may be a silicone gel produced from a mixture of divinyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane, tetrakis (dimethylsiloxy)silane, a platinum divinyltetramethyldisiloxane complex, commercially available from UCT, Inc. of Bristol, Pa., polydimethylsiloxane, and 1,3,5,7-tetravinyltetra-methylcyclotetrasiloxane (reaction inhibitor for providing adequate pot life).” Please note that we also offer PS200, a silane based coating, for optical fibers that provides lubricity and reduces breakage during fabrication and subsequent flexing. Thomas Whitesides et al, US Patent Application 20110284808, describes the use of a polymerizable silane, 3-(N-styrylmethyl-2- aminoethylamino) propyltrimethoxysilane, (S1590) in preparing particles for use in electrophoretic displays. S1590 is used to functionalize the surface of a pigment by forming a covalent bond with the pigment, through the hydrolyzable trimethoxy groups thereby adding a styrenic double bond to its surface. This double bond is then free to undergo free radical polymerization with other materials, like acrylates and methacrylates, to form grafted structures. Silicones are often used to fabricate microfluidic devices. In US Patent Application 20120003755 Stephen Chapin et al describes techniques for high precision scanning of hydrogel microparticles. The microfluidic apparatus is fabricated on a silicon wafer using soft lithography and addition cured polydimethylsiloxanes. Master molds were prepared by spin-coating with a negative photoresist and developed using standard procedures. The wafers were then treated with T2492, (tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrooctyl)-1-trichlorosilane, to impart a teflon-like surface to the uncoated areas to facilitate further fabrication of the device.

Carbendazim in Orange Juice extraction

Carbendazim in fruit or fruit juice is easily analyzed using a QuEChERS method. With this method, clear extract, excellent recoveries (average recovery of 101% for three spiking levels), and a low LOQ of 5 ng/mL was achieved. This method is applicable for the determination of Carbendazim in real orange juice samples.

EtG Detection in Fingernails using CUQAX12Z

Over the past decade the use of hair specimens for the long-term detection of the alcohol biomarker ethyl glucuronide has been increasing in popularity. In a paper by Dr. Joseph Jones and his team at the United States Drug Testing Laboratory (Des Plaines Il), they evaluated the usefulness of fingernail clippings as a suitable alternative to hair for ethyl glucuronide detection (American Journal of Analytical Chemistry (e-published January 2012)). A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the detection of ethyl glucuronide in fingernail clippings was fully validated and used to analyze the hair and/or fingernail specimens of 606 college-aged study participants. The limit of detection was 2 pg/mg, the limit of quantitation was 8 pg/mg and the method was linear from 8 to 2000 pg/mg, which is a clear demonstration of the efficiency of the SPE method which was performed using UCT’s Clean-up CUQAX12Z SPE columns. This group showed that as alternative matrices go, fingernail clippings can be just as useful as hair samples, and that UCT’s SPE can be employed no matter what the matrix is. Dr. Jones reports that ethyl glucuronide levels in fingernails were higher than ethyl glucuronide levels in hair. The study results demonstrated that fingernail may be a suitable alternative to hair for ethyl glucuronide detection and may be the preferred sample type due to the lack of a gender bias.

Don Shelly to speak on Food and Environmental issues

UCT's Food and Environmental specialist, Don Shelly, will be presenting at the Orange County Water District (OCWD) workshop in Fountain Valley, California on February 8, 2012. Topics will include The Chemistry behind Solid Phase Extraction with an emphasis on current drinking water methods and Enviro-Clean: Products Designed to Save You Time and Reduce Costs. Please contact Don at ext. 219 or Bill Leavitt at ext. 184 for more details.

UCT Specialties adhesives and coatings

If you’re having trouble getting your adhesive or coating to stick to a difficult substrate, then UCT Specialties has the solution to your problem. We manufacture an extensive line of high quality organosilanes for use as adhesion promoters/coupling agents for a wide variety of substrates including glass, ceramics, precious metals and both thermoplastic and thermoset materials. Organosilanes are also used to modify a substrates critical surface tension to improve wettability or to create hydrophobic or hydrophilic surfaces. Please see our ad in the 2012 ASI Buyers’ Guide and visit us at booth # 307 at the ASC EXPO this April in Denver, Colorado.

Phenazepam and UCT CSDAU206

In recent months Phenazepam, a drug originally precribed for the Russian market, has become very popular for off-label uses in the United Kingdom, United States and Australia. Phenazepam is prescribed for the reduction of anxiety but has now been found in blood and urine samples of drivers stopped by enforcement agencies in traffic cases in these countries. In the most recent issue of LC-GC magazine (December 2011), a validated method for the analysis of Phenazepam in whole blood has been published. UCT scientist Dr. Jeff Hackett, working with analysts at the Massachussets State Police Crime Laboratory have developed a sensitive and higly efficient method for this analysis using UCT's flagship sorbent Clean Screen (CSDAU206). In this procedure whole blood samples were extracted and analyzed down to concentrations less than 1 ng per mL of whole blood. The samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry where the clean extracts were shown to have minimal matrix effects (less than 6% overall). The recoveries of the drug from whole blood using CSDAU206 SPE columns were found to be greater than 90%. These excellent analytical characteristics demonstrate why UCT is the premier manufacturer in SPE and our Clean Screen SPE columns are the best sorbents for the extraction of drugs in biological fluids.