Analysis of methaqualone in biological matrices by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography. Comparison with gas chromatography mass spectrometry

The analysis of methaqualone (MTQ) in biological matrices by capillary electrophoresis (CE) is described. This methods uses liquid-liquid extraction and micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MECC), an operation mode of CE. Separations are made using a 25 cm long capillary and a borate/phosphate buffer at pH 8.2, Using gas chromatography with mass spectrometry detection (GC-MS) as reference method, MTQ has been analyzed in urine, blood, gastric content and hair. For hair analysis, supercritical fluid extraction was compared with liquid-liquid extraction. Linearity was established in urine and blood between 0.25 and 10.0 mu g/ml. MTQ recovery from blood was estimated at 60%. The limit of detection of this method in urine is about 0.10 mu g/ml. Drawbacks and advantages of MECC over GC-MS are discussed. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.