Parallel artificial liquid membrane extraction (PALME) combined with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry can screen for new psychoactive substances (NPS) in plasma and whole blood. Eleven NPS, including MDAI, methylone, and MDPV, were extracted from alkalized donor solutions across an organic liquid membrane into an acidic acceptor solution using a pH gradient. For plasma, the donor solution contained 125 µL plasma, 115 µL 40 mM NaOH, and 10 µL internal standard; for whole blood, it contained 100 µL blood, 50 µL water, 75 µL 80 mM NaOH, and 25 µL internal standard. Extraction used 5 µL dodecyl acetate with 1% trioctylamine as the membrane and 50 µL 20 mM formic acid as the acceptor, agitated at 900 rpm for 120 minutes. Validation met FDA guidelines.
A new capillary zone electrophoresis method rapidly measures psilocybin in Psilocybe semilanceata mushrooms. After a simple methanol extraction, the compound separates from other mushroom components using a borate-phosphate buffer at pH 11.5. Psilocybin identity is confirmed by migration time and UV spectra, and quantitation uses barbital as an internal standard. The method is linear for psilocybin concentrations between 0.01 and 1 mg/ml, with high precision (intra-day variation 0.5% R.S.D., inter-day 2.5% R.S.D.). It also works for the related compound baeocystin.
A 96-well plate extraction method called parallel artificial liquid membrane extraction (PALME) can be made greener by replacing organic solvents with an essential oil. Fourteen essential oils were tested; the blend smart & sassy gave the best recovery for multiple drugs of abuse in plasma, including amphetamines, synthetic cathinones, and designer benzodiazepines. After optimization, the method achieved a linear range of 1-100 ng/mL, accuracy within ±16.4%, and limits of detection between 0.1 and 0.75 ng/mL. The technique eliminated hazardous organic solvents, provided effective sample clean-up, and met international validation guidelines, offering a sustainable tool for toxicological analysis.