Thesis

Analytical method development and validation for forensic investigation of psychoactive compounds and gastrointestinal fluids characterization

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Awarding institution
  • University of Strathclyde
Date of award
  • 2025
Thesis identifier
  • T17278
Person Identifier (Local)
  • 202079834
Qualification Level
Qualification Name
Department, School or Faculty
Abstract
  • Drugs of abuse (DoA) involve a wide range of substances, including illicit drugs (Heroin), prescription medications when used non-medically (benzodiazepines), and even legal substances when misused (alcohol). DoA pose significant public health challenges and social problems, therefore, effective strategies are essential to address these concerns. The aim of this thesis was to screen common DoA in Kuwait and draw a picture on the common trends in illicit DoA. First, ten synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) were investigated, and a LC-MS/MS method was developed for their separation and quantitation. The method was used for screening of these SCs in street samples in Kuwait (Chapter 2). Another three SCs were screened in urine samples collected in Kuwait. A solid phase extraction (SPE) procedure was developed for extraction of the three SCs from urine, followed with a sensitive and specific LC-MS/MS method for their quantitation. (Chapter 3). Next, a sensitive and specific LC-MS/MS method was developed for the detection of six DoA common in Kuwaiti market, namely pregabalin, morphine, amphetamine, methamphetamine, codeine, and diazepam. The six drugs were screened in 150 urine samples collected in Kuwait (Chapter 4). Nowadays, gastrointestinal tract (GIT) media are commonly used to determine drug solubility and bioavailability in vitro during drug development phase. GIT media are susceptible to large variability between individuals and to inter-day fluctuations, in addition to meal intake and biliary and pancreatic secretions. These facts show the importance of characterization of GIT fluid components for accurate determination and prediction of drug bioavailability. The aim of work in this chapter was to characterize common GIT fluid components such as sodium oleate (SO), glyceryl monooleate (GMO), and cholesterol (CHL). An accurate and specific GC-MS method was developed for the determination of these compounds. A derivatization procedure was optimized for the three compounds, where silylation reagent mixture was used to produce their silyl derivatives (Chapter 5).
Advisor / supervisor
  • Khadra, Ibrahim
Resource Type
DOI

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