Effects of Temperatures and Time on the Stability of Methadone in Urine Samples
محورهای موضوعی : Journal of Chemical Health Risks
Mohammed Ali Ahmed Alwaeel
1
,
Noora Mohammed Juma
2
,
Naser Ansari
3
,
Anas Samad
4
,
Gursirat Singh Khokhar
5
,
Nrashant Singh
6
1 - Department of Forensic Science, Amity University Dubai, Dubai, UAE
2 - Toxicology Department, General Department of Forensic Science and Criminology, Dubai Police, Dubai, UAE
3 - Toxicology Department, General Department of Forensic Science and Criminology, Dubai Police, Dubai, UAE
4 - Department of Forensic Science, Amity University Dubai, Dubai, UAE
5 - Department of Forensic Science, Amity University Dubai, Dubai, UAE
6 - Department of Forensic Science, Amity University Dubai, Dubai, UAE
کلید واژه: Drug abuse, Methadone, Stability, Pre-analytical phase, Drug testing, Methadone maintenance therapy (MMT),
چکیده مقاله :
Precise detection of drugs in urine samples is crucial in both clinical and forensic settings. However, the pre-analytical phase, which includes sample handling before testing, can significantly affect the results. Additionally, Forensic investigations may involve longer storage periods than traditional clinical scenarios with immediate testing, therefore, proper sample collection and storage are essential to ensure accurate analysis. This study aims to evaluate the impact of temperature and storage duration on the stability of target compounds in urine samples. Specifically, the research investigates how different storage conditions—namely freezing versus refrigeration—affect the detectability of methadone. A total of 240 urine samples were analyzed to assess methadone stability under various temperature conditions (room temperature, 40°C, 4°C, and -20°C), both with and without the use of preservatives. The findings underscore the complex interaction between storage temperature, duration, and methadone stability. The results demonstrate that the most stable condition was storage at -20°C with a preservative, where methadone exhibited relatively high stability after one month, a slight reduction in concentration after three months, and approximately 25% degradation after six months. These results emphasize the critical importance of temperature regulation in maintaining the integrity of urine samples for accurate drug testing. These findings hold significant implications for healthcare professionals, toxicologists, and laboratory analysts involved in urine drug testing. Ultimately, the present research seeks to minimize errors and misinterpretations caused by mishandling during the pre-analytical phase and storage, leading to more reliable drug testing outcomes.
Precise detection of drugs in urine samples is crucial in both clinical and forensic settings. However, the pre-analytical phase, which includes sample handling before testing, can significantly affect the results. Additionally, Forensic investigations may involve longer storage periods than traditional clinical scenarios with immediate testing, therefore, proper sample collection and storage are essential to ensure accurate analysis. This study aims to evaluate the impact of temperature and storage duration on the stability of target compounds in urine samples. Specifically, the research investigates how different storage conditions—namely freezing versus refrigeration—affect the detectability of methadone. A total of 240 urine samples were analyzed to assess methadone stability under various temperature conditions (room temperature, 40°C, 4°C, and -20°C), both with and without the use of preservatives. The findings underscore the complex interaction between storage temperature, duration, and methadone stability. The results demonstrate that the most stable condition was storage at -20°C with a preservative, where methadone exhibited relatively high stability after one month, a slight reduction in concentration after three months, and approximately 25% degradation after six months. These results emphasize the critical importance of temperature regulation in maintaining the integrity of urine samples for accurate drug testing. These findings hold significant implications for healthcare professionals, toxicologists, and laboratory analysts involved in urine drug testing. Ultimately, the present research seeks to minimize errors and misinterpretations caused by mishandling during the pre-analytical phase and storage, leading to more reliable drug testing outcomes.
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