Fast and confident identification of drugs and their metabolites using ion trap LC-MSn analysis and a library of > 4500 compounds

The presented LC-MSn screening workflow using a combination of spectral library searching of both the Toxtyper and Maurer/Wissenbach/Weber spectral libraries represents a valuable tool for comprehensive and reliable identification of forensically relevant compounds and their metabolites in urine samples. The results of the LC-MSn workflow are in good accordance with results of the gold standard method GC-MS, whilst offering the advantages of a simple sample preparation protocol, usability of glucuronides, sulfates for identification and automated data processing and reporting. Due to their physical “nature” each method reveals a set of drugs which can be detected solely with GC-MS or LC-MSn.