Janowska E., Chudzikiewicz E., Lechowicz W.

Department of Toxicology, Institute of Forensic Research, Westerplatte 9, 31-033 Krakow, Poland
Medicines which contain ephedrine are currently the object of great interest amongst Polish drugs addicts. One of these medicines is the antiasthmatic drug Proasthmin. A tablet of Proasthmin contains ephedrine (12 mg), theophylline (120 mg) and phenobarbital (8 mg). The reason for this interest is ephedrone, a compound described by Zhingel (1), the oxidation product of ephedrine.
The aim of this study was to elaborate the best conditions for the determination of ephedrone and the components of Proasthmin in products manufactured and used by drug addicts. The analyses were performed using TLC, HPLC and GC methods.
Ten solvent systems were examined for detection of ephedrone and the components of Proasthmin using TLC method. The following three systems appeared to be the best: toluene:acetone:ethanol:25% ammonia solution (45:45:7:3), chloroform:methanol: 25% ammonia solution (90:10:1), ethyl acetate:methanol:25% ammonia solution (8:2:1).
Quantitative analyses of ephedrone were performed by HPLC-DAD method using Merck-Hitachi LaChrom System in isocratic and gradient mode and by GC method using Fisons series 8000 gas chromatograph equipped with FID and two capillary columns Rtx-1, Rtx-5.
The application of the TLC method for screening and the HPLC-DAD or the GC-FID method for quantitative confirmation of the presence of ephedrone, even in small residue of clandestine products, is very useful. These sequences of methods allowed to detect ephedrone in the mixture containing high amounts of by-products, theophylline, and phenobarbital without pH dependent extraction process.

References

1. K.Y. Zhingel et all., J. Forens. Sci., 1991, 36, 915-920.