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Evaluation of TLC Systems for Opiate Analysis

NCJ Number
119819
Journal
Bulletin on Narcotics Volume: 37 Issue: 1 Dated: special issue (January-March 1985) Pages: 35-47
Author(s)
V Rajananda; N K Nair; V Navaratnam
Date Published
1985
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This article details research undertaken by the Malaysian National Drug Research Center to assess the capability of each of 38 thin-layer-chromatography (TLC) systems for the detection and identification of opiates and adulterants and to determine whether any of the 38 systems could be used for analyzing opiates in urine, opium, and heroin.
Abstract
A review of available literature published over the past ten years enabled the selection of the 38 TLC systems to be tested. Fourteen substances were used to test samples for the research: eight opiates (morphine, 6-monoacetylmorphine, diacetylmorphine, codeine, acetylcodeine, noscapine, papaverine, and thebaine) and six adulterants (ephedrine, quinine, methadone, caffeine, cocaine, and strychnine). Test results indicated that 15 and 13 TLC systems, respectively, were able to detect and identify morphine and codeine in urine without interference from the other 12 substances. The TLC system: chloroform-n-hexane-triethylamine (9:9:4), developed by the Malaysian National Drug Research Center, was found to be the most suitable in detecting opiates in opium samples as well as opiates and adulterants in illegal heroin samples. Other suitable TLC systems are described along with the relative cost of each of the 38 evaluated TLC systems. 25 references. (Author abstract modified)

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