Determination of trace elements in illicit spice samples by using ICP-MS

• Ten trace metals in illicit spice samples containing brooklime were investigated.
• Twenty-nine brooklime samples were analyzed by ICP-MS after microwave digestion.
• Synthetic cannabinoid contents of the samples were identified by GC-MS.
• Metal pollution index for samples were likely to be negligible.

The narcotic and toxic effects of synthetic cannabinoids have been intensely investigated by scientists in recent years. Most of these studies have been about the effects of synthetic cannabinoid compounds on the human body. However, in this study, we aimed to determine trace element concentrations in seized “spice” products and observe whether they were above the limit values. The investigated spice product plants contained brooklime, which was the most popular raw material in illicit spice drugs in Turkey. The synthetic cannabinoid contents of the samples were identified by GC-MS. All samples were analyzed by ICP-MS after microwave digestion. The concentration values of Ba, Be, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Li, Pb, U, and Zn in three brooklime samples and twenty-nine spice samples containing brooklime were reported. Certified standard reference material CRM SRM 1573a tomato leaves were used to assess the accuracy of the method. After checking the accuracy, excess amounts of the digested CRM were also used to check the precision of the method. Trace element contents in the analyzed samples were likely to be of negligible concern. Barium was the only distinctive element determined. To our knowledge, this is the first study in this field.