Psychoactive gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and its prodrug gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) are substances that are increasingly abused as date-rape and recreational (party) drugs. Since the non-controlled GBL converts into the illicit GHB both in-vivo and in-vitro, their legal distinction is of crucial importance.

For the forensic determination of illegally added GHB and GBL in commonly consumed beverages, this work presents a simple and sensitive method that employs direct-injection ion chromatography combined with spectrophotometric detection. The method allows to trace GHB-GLB interconversion, whether in vivo or in vitro lactone cleavage or intramolecular GHB esterification, and thus complies with pertinent requirements of law enforcement agencies.

8.000.6048EN

Fully automated determination of fluoride in blood samples

Sodium fluoride is used as a preservative in biological samples for alcohol analysis. All submitted blood samples, including those taken from vehicle drivers suspected of driving under the influence of liquor, have to be tested for adequate preservation prior to alcohol determination by gas chromatography. This is critical to ensure adequate sample preservation. Inadequate sample preservation may allow glycolysis and/or microorganism growth to produce ethanol.
In the past this has been done by direct potentiometric measurement using a fluoride-selective electrode (F ISE), an ion meter and certified NaF standards. The sodium fluoride level was determined manually by dipping the electrode directly into the blood sample. Results were recorded manually. This poster describes two independent automated methods of analysis that allow to minimize this tedious and time-consuming procedure.
In the first one, the fluoride content in a blood aliquot is measured by direct potentiometric measurement after the addition of TISAB and deionized water. The second method employs the titration of the sample aliquot with La(NO₃)₃ after adding a buffer solution.