Detecting and quantifying cannabinoids in oral fluid.

Molnar, A

Detecting and quantifying cannabinoids in oral fluid.

Molnar, A

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Publication Type:: Thesis
Issue Date:: 2015

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Molnar, A
dc.date.accessioned	2015-11-30T23:28:24Z
dc.date.available	2015-11-30T23:28:24Z
dc.date.issued	2015
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/39193
dc.description	University of Technology Sydney. Faculty of Science.	en_AU
dc.description.abstract	The main psychoactive constituent of cannabis, Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is the major target analyte for the detection of cannabis in oral fluid. While oral fluid has been used widely for drug testing purposes for a number of years, it has not been as thoroughly investigated as urine and blood testing procedures. This thesis aims to fill some of the gaps in knowledge regarding the detection of cannabinoids, particularly THC, in the oral fluid matrix. THC is highly lipophilic and it is known that losses can occur when it comes in contact with plastic. Factors governing the interaction of THC with polypropylene in the oral fluid matrix were investigated using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) techniques. Preliminary results of the stability of THC in oral fluid stored in polypropylene containers indicated comparable THC losses under refrigerated and freezing conditions over a period of two weeks. Delving further into the circumstances surrounding the absorptive tendencies of THC, no significant difference was found in terms of THC loss to plastic when the concentration ranged from 25–1000 ng/mL in the same volume of oral fluid. Varying the oral fluid volume (0.5–1.5 mL) while keeping THC at a constant concentration showed an upward trend with more loss associated with lower volumes. This indicated that THC adsorption is increased with greater plastic surface area to oral fluid volume. The use of Triton® X-100 significantly decreased the adherence of THC to the plastic tubes and increased the THC transfer (>96%) at all volumes tested. Addition of a surfactant to an accurately measured volume of oral fluid is a potential way to reduce the adsorption effect, while avoiding inconsistencies with oral fluid volumes generally found when using commercial collection devices. Degradation of THC during storage was also studied over a 4-week period and it was found that azide did not seem to play a significant role in preserving THC in oral fluid. Sativex®, an oromucosal spray containing THC and cannabidiol (CBD), is indicated for the treatment of spasticity in multiple sclerosis in the United Kingdom (UK) and a number of other countries. The introduction of Sativex® to the Australian market may have implications for patients who drive since the THC may be detected by roadside drug testing procedures. Studies were carried out to determine whether or not patients taking Sativex® will test positive to THC using the DrugWipe® II Twin and Cozart® Drug Detection System (DDS) screening tests. Detectable levels of THC, CBD and cannabinol (CBN) in their oral fluid were also confirmed by LC–MS/MS. It was found that Sativex® users may test positive for THC by roadside drug testing within 2–3 h of use. Confirmatory analysis can identify Sativex® treatment through use of THC/CBD ratios, however, these ratios would unlikely be sufficient to differentiate non-medicinal cannabis use from Sativex® use if both are taken concurrently. Analytical methods are continually evolving as more sensitive, more reliable and more user-friendly instrumentation and procedures are developed. The potential of using novel nanospray LC–chip–MS to detect and quantify cannabinoids in oral fluid was evaluated. The system was found to be unsuitable for routine analysis procedures; however it may have potential in other fields if used with a highly sensitive tandem MS. The results presented in this thesis provide new insight into some of the difficulties faced with the detection and quantification of cannabinoids in oral fluid. The importance of determining the most appropriate collection and storage procedures for oral fluid specimens is highlighted, as is the interpretation of positive screening and confirmatory results when medicinal cannabis products are inevitably introduced.	en_AU
dc.format	Thesis (PhD)
dc.language.iso	en_AU	en_AU
dc.relation	https://opus.lib.uts.edu.au/bitstream/10453/39193/2/02whole.pdf
dc.rights	The author owns the copyright in this thesis including all reproduction and reuse rights for the work. The work may not be altered without the permission of the copyright owner. Attribution is essential when quoting or paraphrasing from this thesis.
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.rights	au.edu.uts.lib/ppc
dc.subject	Cannabinoids.	en
dc.subject	Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).	en
dc.subject	Detection of cannabinoids.	en
dc.subject	Oral fluid.	en
dc.subject	Degradation of THC during storage.	en
dc.subject	Sativex®.	en
dc.subject	Treatment of spasticity in multiple sclerosis.	en
dc.subject	Drug Detection System (DDS).	en
dc.subject	Nanospray LC-chip-MS.	en
dc.title	Detecting and quantifying cannabinoids in oral fluid.	en
dc.type	Thesis	en_AU
utslib.copyright.status	open_access

Abstract:

The main psychoactive constituent of cannabis, Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is the major target analyte for the detection of cannabis in oral fluid. While oral fluid has been used widely for drug testing purposes for a number of years, it has not been as thoroughly investigated as urine and blood testing procedures. This thesis aims to fill some of the gaps in knowledge regarding the detection of cannabinoids, particularly THC, in the oral fluid matrix. THC is highly lipophilic and it is known that losses can occur when it comes in contact with plastic. Factors governing the interaction of THC with polypropylene in the oral fluid matrix were investigated using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) techniques. Preliminary results of the stability of THC in oral fluid stored in polypropylene containers indicated comparable THC losses under refrigerated and freezing conditions over a period of two weeks. Delving further into the circumstances surrounding the absorptive tendencies of THC, no significant difference was found in terms of THC loss to plastic when the concentration ranged from 25–1000 ng/mL in the same volume of oral fluid. Varying the oral fluid volume (0.5–1.5 mL) while keeping THC at a constant concentration showed an upward trend with more loss associated with lower volumes. This indicated that THC adsorption is increased with greater plastic surface area to oral fluid volume. The use of Triton® X-100 significantly decreased the adherence of THC to the plastic tubes and increased the THC transfer (>96%) at all volumes tested. Addition of a surfactant to an accurately measured volume of oral fluid is a potential way to reduce the adsorption effect, while avoiding inconsistencies with oral fluid volumes generally found when using commercial collection devices. Degradation of THC during storage was also studied over a 4-week period and it was found that azide did not seem to play a significant role in preserving THC in oral fluid. Sativex®, an oromucosal spray containing THC and cannabidiol (CBD), is indicated for the treatment of spasticity in multiple sclerosis in the United Kingdom (UK) and a number of other countries. The introduction of Sativex® to the Australian market may have implications for patients who drive since the THC may be detected by roadside drug testing procedures. Studies were carried out to determine whether or not patients taking Sativex® will test positive to THC using the DrugWipe® II Twin and Cozart® Drug Detection System (DDS) screening tests. Detectable levels of THC, CBD and cannabinol (CBN) in their oral fluid were also confirmed by LC–MS/MS. It was found that Sativex® users may test positive for THC by roadside drug testing within 2–3 h of use. Confirmatory analysis can identify Sativex® treatment through use of THC/CBD ratios, however, these ratios would unlikely be sufficient to differentiate non-medicinal cannabis use from Sativex® use if both are taken concurrently. Analytical methods are continually evolving as more sensitive, more reliable and more user-friendly instrumentation and procedures are developed. The potential of using novel nanospray LC–chip–MS to detect and quantify cannabinoids in oral fluid was evaluated. The system was found to be unsuitable for routine analysis procedures; however it may have potential in other fields if used with a highly sensitive tandem MS. The results presented in this thesis provide new insight into some of the difficulties faced with the detection and quantification of cannabinoids in oral fluid. The importance of determining the most appropriate collection and storage procedures for oral fluid specimens is highlighted, as is the interpretation of positive screening and confirmatory results when medicinal cannabis products are inevitably introduced.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/39193