Evaluation of fentanyl immunoassay test strips for rapid in-situ detection of fentanyl and fentanyl analogs in seized samples and alternative matrices

Caitlyn Norman; Victoria Marland; Craig McKenzie; Hervé Ménard; Niamh Nic Daéid

doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104102

Evaluation of fentanyl immunoassay test strips for rapid in-situ detection of fentanyl and fentanyl analogs in seized samples and alternative matrices

Int J Drug Policy. 2023 Aug:118:104102. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104102. Epub 2023 Jun 19.

Authors

Caitlyn Norman¹, Victoria Marland², Craig McKenzie³, Hervé Ménard², Niamh Nic Daéid²

Affiliations

¹ Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK. Electronic address: cynorman@dundee.ac.uk.
² Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
³ Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK; Chiron AS, Stiklestadveien 1, 7041 Trondheim, Norway.

PMID: 37343365
DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104102

Abstract

Background: Ion mobility spectrometry is used for the rapid detection of drugs at points of security but are unable to differentiate some drugs leading to the instrument alarming for a drug not present in the sample. This can be particularly problematic for samples that alarm for fentanyl. In this study, fentanyl immunoassay strips were evaluated for use as a secondary test for fentanyl, including for the testing of alternative matrices, such as powders, e-liquids, and infused papers and textiles.

Methods: The limit of detection of fentanyl immunoassay strips was examined along with their selectivity to 18 fentanyl analogsand 72 other drugs and cutting agents. The effectiveness of the test strips at the detection of fentanyl in the presence of other drugs was examined by testing a series of concentrations of fentanyl in solution in combination with other drugs. The testing of alternative matrices was explored with laboratory prepared samples through sampling with cotton buds and extraction in water.

Results: The fentanyl immunoassay strips detected fentanyl at concentrations of 45 ng/mL and reacted with 16 of 18 tested fentanyl analogs with carfentanil and norfentanyl being the only analogs to not react. There was no reactivity with other drugs or cutting agents. The effectiveness of the fentanyl test strips was not reduced when fentanyl was mixed with other drugs. Fentanyl was successfully detected with high sensitivity in all alternative matrices.

Conclusion: The fentanyl immunoassay strips were found to be an effective secondary test for fentanyl and at least 16 fentanyl analogs in seized drug samples, including when mixed with other drugs. The effectiveness of the sampling methods for alternative matrices should be further evaluated using fentanyl and fentanyl analog casework samples. The use of this method by law enforcement and other agencies should be examined to assess its effectiveness and ease of use in operational settings.

Keywords: Drug checking; Fentanyl; Immunoassay test strips; Ion mobility spectrometry; Novel synthetic opioids.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Analgesics, Opioid* / analysis
Fentanyl* / analysis
Humans
Immunoassay / methods
Limit of Detection
Substance Abuse Detection / methods

Substances

Analgesics, Opioid
Fentanyl