MDMA Electrochemical Determination and Behavior at Carbon Screen‐printed Electrodes: Cheap Tools for Forensic Applications

Abstract

This article describes a method that uses Carbon Screen‐printed Electrodes (C‐SPEs) to detect 3,4 – methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDMA) by Linear Sweep Voltammetry in aqueous medium. Major parameters of this technique were evaluated aiming improve the method sensibility. Amines interference were conducted in order to verify disturbs at the MDMA response. The method obtained a linear response from 1×10−5 mol L−1 to 1×10−4 mol L−1 with linear correlation coefficient of 0.996, Amperometric Sensitivity (AS) of 0.025 A×mol−1 L, Limit of Detection (LOD) of 1,83×10−6 mol L−1, and Limit of Quantification (LOQ) of 6,11×10−6 mol L−1. The method applicability, reproducibility and reproducibility were carried over inter/intra days tests and its application on seized samples.

Voltammetric Responses of a CYP2D6‐Based Biosensor to 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and the Synthetic Cathinone α‐pyrrolidinopentiophenone (α‐PVP).

“…Recently, several studies have reported the electrochemical detection of MDMA. Most of them are based on the use of electrodes of different materials [25–29] and modifications [30,31] . Table 1 shows that there is indeed an improvement in the limits of detection and quantification achieved by using the C‐SPE‐CYP2D6 platform compared to the platforms reported in the literature.…”

Electrochemical methods for on-site multidrug detection at festivals

“…1), the measuring conditions (buffer, pH, electrode material) are selected in such a way that the drug yields a clear EP that can be successfully distinguished from other electroactive compounds present in real samples. The optimization of measuring conditions has previously been reported for the detection of cocaine, 34,42,43 MDMA [35][36][37] and ketamine. 44,45 In particular, the use of pH12 buffer on unmodified carbon SPEs is highly suitable for the detection of these three illicit drugs in the presence of their adulterants.…”

“…Carbon-based screen-printed electrodes (SPEs) in particular are perfect candidates for the on-site analysis of suspicious samples: they are highly portable, cheap and disposable. 29 Utilizing the characteristic EP for identification on SPEs (unmodified or including a short pre-treatment step or coating), previous studies have reported accurate detection strategies for numerous drugs in the presence of adulterants, including cocaine, 33,34 MDMA, [35][36][37] heroin 38,39 and ketamine. 40 However, these studies generally focus on the detection of one drug, while LEAs at music festivals and other nightlife settings require screening tools for a variety of drugs.…”

Comprehensive detection of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in forensic samples using carbon nanotube screen-printed electrodes

“…Recent years have witnessed the rise of electrochemical sensors as attractive tools for forensic analysis, serving as screening methods for various drugs 16–19 , including phenethylamines. 20–23 These electroanalytical methods offer numerous advantages, such as low cost, versatility, selectivity, sensitivity, portability, and simplicity.…”