Multivariate Analysis Aided Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (MVA-SERS) Multiplex Quantitative Detection of Trace Fentanyl in Illicit Drug Mixtures Using a Handheld Raman Spectrometer

• NCJ Number: 301923
• Journal: Applied Spectroscopy Volume: Online Dated: July 2021
• Author(s): Ling Wang; Mario O. Vendrell-Dones; Chiara Deriu; Sevde Dogruer; Peter de B. Harrington; Bruce McCord
• Date Published: July 2021
• Grant Number(s): 2015-IJ-CX-K006; 2014-DNR-4918; DJO-NIJ-21-RO-0002
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Award: The Application of Gold Nanoparticles for the Trace Detection of Synthetic Cannabinoids in Saliva and Urine by Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy.; Interagency Collaboration to Support Forensic Science Research; NIJ Co-funding for the NSF Center for Advanced Research in Forensic Science (CARFS)

Annotation

This study involved the quantitative determination of fentanyl in heroin and cocaine using SERS, using a point-and-shoot handheld Raman system.

Abstract

Recently there has been upsurge in reports that illicit seizures of cocaine and heroin have been adulterated with fentanyl. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) provides a useful alternative to current screening procedures that permits detection of trace levels of fentanyl in mixtures. Samples are solubilized and allowed to interact with aggregated colloidal nanostars to produce a rapid and sensitive assay. The protocol of the current study was optimized to detect pure fentanyl down to 0.20 ± 0.06 ng/mL and also distinguish pure cocaine and heroin at ng/mL levels. Multiplex analysis of mixtures was enabled by combining SERS detection with principal component analysis and super partial least squares regression discriminate analysis (SPLS-DA), which enables the determination of fentanyl as low as 0.05 percent in simulated seized heroin and 0.10 percent in simulated seized cocaine samples. (publisher abstract modified)