UCT announces extraction method for Spice (JWH-018 & JWH-073)

A group of new drugs is on the scene for forensic toxicologists to isolate, identify and quantify, the Spice drugs (JWH-018,073 etc). As recent studies have shown these drugs metabolize very quickly into their hydroxylated forms. Until very recently the choice of derivative for these compounds has been unclear. With resources from UCT, scientists have used MSTFA to derivatize the hydroxylated form of JWH-018. This compound can easily be used by simple heating and cooling prior to injection. The MSTFA derivative forms a compound which does not interfere with the parent, and can be resolved using a standard GC-MS instrument in EI mode. Chromatogram and mass spectra are shown here for illustrative purposes.

Here is our current method for extracting these compounds: Synthetic Cannabinoids LC-MS/MS and GC-MS using Clean Screen® THC Urine

UCT columns used in the analysis of tissue samples by Dr. Jenkins and Jahusic

Forensic Toxicologists have long struggled with the problem of analyzing drugs in tissue samples. In a paper published in Journal of Analytical Toxicology scientists at U Mass Memorial Hospital have shown how SPE can be used to solve this issue. Employing UCT's Clean Screen DAU SPE columns, the UMass team was able to show that successful analysis over a wide range of drugs can be performed on tissue homogenates in post-mortem cases. Clean Screen DAU columns are famously recognized for use in the isolation of drugs in urine and blood. This paper demonstrates their applicability to tissue specimens too.

Juhascik MP, Jenkins AJ "Comparison of tissue homogenate analytical results with and without standard addition" J.Anal. Toxicol. 35(3): 179-182 (2011)

UCT at SFTA conference in France

After last years success at Societe Francais Toxicologie (SFTA) conference, UCT's commitment to supporting our European colleagues remains at the forefront of our priorities. Dr. Jeff Hackett, will be attending this years conference in Chamonix, France, running from March 21st to the 26th. As a member of the UCT team, Dr. Hackett will be on hand to assist not only Forensic Toxicologists, but those scientists involved in Clinical and Veterinary branches of Toxicology. He will be available to discuss procedures involving UCT's Clean Screen and Styre Screen range of applications/ methodologies as well as derivatizing compounds.

UCT descends on Pittcon 2011

Visit UCT (Booth # 4120) as we celebrate our 25th anniversary at Pittcon in Atlanta, Ga from March 14 -17, 2011. We will be exhibiting our well-recognized solid phase extraction products. In addition, our environmental and agricultural testing products such as QuEChERS and universal sample prep cartridges used for extracting pollutants from waste and drinking water following EPA methodologies such as 1664A, 525, 521, 8330 and 548.1 will be on display.

New Paper Employing UCT XtrackT Range

In a paper published in the Forensic Science International (Irvine et al (2011)), forensic scientists in Australia studied the presence of several illicit drugs in sewage around the city of Adelaide and 10 other areas in South Australia. To extract and analyze these drugs, this group of analysts used UCT's SPE column (XtrackT® (XRDAH)) with mixed mode sorbent.

This sorbent was first developed by UCT for use in the analysis of horse urine, where sample viscosity is often an issue. The sorbent is now being employed to efficiently isolate and produce highly purified extracts from an environmental medium. This study demonstrates UCT's commitment to producing the best quality materials for the forensic, environmental and analytical communities in the United States and across the world.

UCT attending Arablab - March 7-10

Stop by and visit us at Arablab 2011. We will be attending with our partner, Dar Al Zaharwi, and lending support to all customers. We will be at Booth 729 - feel free to come by and ask some questions.

New Ethyl Glucuronide Paper from UCT Award Winner

Dr. Robert Kronstrand has recently published a paper on the analysis of ethyl glucuronide (EtG) in hair. This study was performed on UCT's Clean Screen EtG SPE column. The project involved following a group of participants for a period of 3 months, analyzing hair samples for ETG. UCT proudly awarded Robert the Excellence in SPE award last October at the annual SOFT meeting for his work in this area. This paper can be found in full format in Forensic Science International.

Robert's study demonstrates the strength and efficiency of the EtG column, and UCT's premier quality SPE materials which include Clean Screen range of columns (CSDAU and CSTHC), as well as derivatizing agents and gc liners for analysts using GC-MS, and HPLC columns for analysts employing LC-MSMS in forensic analysis