Detection of Analgesics and Sedation Drugs in Whiskey Using Electrochemical Paper‐based Analytical Devices

Abstract

The adulteration of whiskey with analgesics and sedation drugs has been a common practice to prevent hangover the following day and promote loss of consciousness. In both situations, the portable and low cost detection platforms are of paramount importance for forensic investigations. This report describes the use of electrochemical paper‐based analytical devices (ePADs) fabricated by pencil drawing for detecting metamizole, paracetamol and midazolam maleate in whiskey. Different types of paper substrates and graphite pencils were initially characterized with ferrocyanide. The best results were achieved using vegetal paper and Aquarelle/6B pencils. ePADs revealed a decrease in current signal indicating a short lifetime, thus limiting their use to disposable sensors. Despite the short lifetime, the graphite pencil ePADs revealed good electrochemical reproducibility (RSD=3.3 %). The forensic feasibility of the proposed ePADs was demonstrated through the analysis of metamizole and paracetamol in whiskey. The limit of detection (LOD) achieved for paracetamol and metamizole were 45 and 20 mg L−1, respectively. ePADs were also tested to detect midazolam maleate in whiskey. The signal recorded exhibited linear correlation in a wide concentration range (25–1000 mg L−1) and a LOD of ca. 5 mg L−1. Considering the disposability and operational simplicity, ePADs offer a good strategy for detecting adulterations in alcoholic beverages at the point‐of‐need.

Development of a Pencil Drawn Paper‐based Analytical Device to Detect Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD)*†

“…Paper electrodes, also called electrochemical paper-based analytical devices (ePADs) or paper-based electrochemical devices (PEDs), have been successfully applied in pharmaceutical, biological, food, and environmental analysis (9,(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24). Also, in forensic analysis they have been employed to analyze analgesics and sedatives in whiskeys (25). Besides the diversity of electrodes geometry and arrangements that are possible, different materials may be used ranging from metals to carbon inks or even graphite from a simple drawing pencil, which is easily applied on paper (5,(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28).…”

“…Also, in forensic analysis they have been employed to analyze analgesics and sedatives in whiskeys (25). Besides the diversity of electrodes geometry and arrangements that are possible, different materials may be used ranging from metals to carbon inks or even graphite from a simple drawing pencil, which is easily applied on paper (5,(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28).…”

An overview of chemical contaminants and other undesirable chemicals in alcoholic beverages and strategies for analysis

“…The European Commission reported findings of monoethylene glycol in red wine, and recent study has highlighted synthetic colorants in beers (Stachova, Lhotska, Solich, & Satinsky, 2016). There have also been concerns over additives meant to enhance the effects of alcohol, such as reports of analgesic drugs and sedatives in whiskey (Dias et al., 2018), and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in alcohol (unspecified) (European Commission, 2020), and oddly, the hormone oxytocin in Indian liquors, which is not a common recreational drug though it may have certain neuromodulating properties (More, Doundkar, & Toche, 2014). A significant hazard with immediate public health effects is the adulteration of alcohol beverages with methanol, an action done either out of ignorance or a complete disregard for human safety, with the intention of boosting the alcohol content.…”

Desenvolvimento de procedimento eletroanalítico para a determinação de midazolam em amostras forenses usando eletrodo de diamante dopado com boro

“…PANAHI et al, (2018) desenvolveram um sensor eletroquímico à base de um polímero nano-molecularmente impresso para detecção de MID em formulações farmacêuticas e amostras de urina. Outros autores, desenvolveram um eletrodo a base de papel, fabricado com grafite de lapiseira (eletrodo de trabalho) para a determinação de MID em whisky (DIAS et al, 2018). Embora existam inúmeros trabalhos na literatura que descrevem a determinação eletroquímica de MID, até o presente momento não foram encontrados trabalhos empregando a oxidação eletroquímica deste composto.…”