College
Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences (BCAS)
Date of Last Revision
2023-05-03 16:52:50
Major
Chemistry - Biochemistry
Honors Course
3150:497
Number of Credits
3
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Date of Expected Graduation
Spring 2020
Abstract
This method developed in the toxicology department at the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office (CCMEO) detects 40 benzodiazepines and metabolites along with several z-drugs in blood and urine by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. A sample amount of 0.5 mL was used to detect analytes in postmortem drug facilitated sexual assault and impaired driving cases. Twenty-nine analytes met criteria for quantification while the remaining 14 were used as qualitative indicators. Bias and precision results for quality controls met criteria, staying within ±15% except for clonazolam and etizolam which were within ±20%. Quantitative reporting criteria which included dilution integrity was met for 25 analytes. Isomeric pairs, meclonazepam and methylclonazepam along with a-hydroxyalprazolam and 4-hydroxyalprazolam, were separated and showed sufficient recovery. Urine and blood samples were analyzed together with matrix effects >25% and no effect on validation data. The method has been in use at CCMEO for several months and has be utilized in over 200 samples. In the future, more analytes may be added and reference materials for qualitative analytes will be obtained to enable quantification.
Research Sponsor
Dr. Chrys Wesdemiotis
First Reader
Dr. Leah Shriver
Second Reader
Szabolcs Sofalvi
Honors Faculty Advisor
Dr. Claire Tessier
Recommended Citation
Michel, Haley, "Development of a Method for the Detection and Quantification of Various Benzodiazepines and Z-Drugs in Human Blood and Qualitative Identification in Urine Samples Using Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)" (2020). Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects. 1134.
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/honors_research_projects/1134