QuEChERS method in forensic toxicology: recent trends and potential application

Introduction: In forensic toxicology, an essential step in specimen preparation is the extraction of drugs from biological materials that carried out routinely using liquid-liquid and solid phase extractions. Although these two methods are not difficult, but they have some disadvantages. For example, while liquid-liquid extraction method has the ability to extract several compounds, it requires considerable time and relatively large amount of solvents. Solid phase extraction method is rather quicker and more cost-efficient, but improperly homogenized samples can clog the column and it can lead to inconsistent flow rates and inappropriate results for analysis. Recently the QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, Safe) method was found to be a user-friendly alternative to traditional liquid-liquid and solid phase extractions.Method: A systematic research of published evidences was performed using Medline (from 2000 to June 2019) using MeSH terms of QuEChERS and forensic toxicology. Review of the relevant literatures was based on author’s expertise.Result and Conclusion: After developing the QuEChERS method as an easy, rapid and highly effective process, its application has been proposed to a variety of analysts and matrices, such as the extraction of antibiotics, pharmaceuticals, and veterinary drugs in biological samples or food products. The QuEChERS process involves two simple steps. First, the homogenized samples are extracted using an organic solvent and salt solution. Then, the supernatant is further cleaned using a dispersive solid phase extraction technique. Recently, the forensic chemistry community was interested in utilizing the QuEChERS method to extract different drug compounds prior to analysis by chromatographic techniques. The modified QuEChERS method can be used for body fluids, such as blood and urine, and liver samples. In this review, the recent developments and trends in applying QuEChERS method in forensic medicine has been discussed.

کلیدواژه ها:

QuEChERS method ، Specimen preparation ، Forensic toxicology ، Liquid-liquid extraction ، Solid phase extraction