Published: Journal of Analytical Toxicology, ISSN 0146-4760, Volume 27, Number 1, January/February 2003, pp. 24-29

A Selective and Sensitive Method for Quantitation of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) in Whole Blood by Gas Chromatography–Ion Trap Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Danielle Libong1, Stéphane Bouchonnet1,*, and Ivan Ricordel2
1Département de Chimie des Mécanismes Réactionnels, Ecole Polytechnique, Route de Saclay, 91128 Palaiseau, France and 2Laboratoire de Toxicologie de la Préfecture de Police, 2 Place Mazas, 75012 Paris, France

A gas chromatography–ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (GC–ion trap MS–MS) method for detection and quantitation of LSD in whole blood is presented. The sample preparation process, including a solid-phase extraction step with Bond Elut cartridges, was performed with 2 mL of whole blood. Eight microliters of the purified extract was injected with a cold on-column injection method. Positive chemical ionization was performed using acetonitrile as reagent gas; LSD was detected in the MS–MS mode. The chromatograms obtained from blood extracts showed the great selectivity of the method. GC–MS quantitation was performed using lysergic acid methylpropylamide as the internal standard. The response of the MS was linear for concentrations ranging from 0.02 ng/mL (detection threshold) to 10.0 ng/mL. Several parameters such as the choice of the capillary column, the choice of the internal standard and that of the ionization mode (positive CI vs. EI) were rationalized. Decomposition pathways under both ionization modes were studied. Within-day and between-day stability were evaluated.

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