Levamisole: a Common Adulterant in Cocaine Street Samples Hindering Electrochemical Detection of Cocaine

Analytical Chemistry
Mats de JongKarolien De Wael

Abstract

The present work investigates the electrochemical determination of cocaine in the presence of levamisole, one of the most common adulterants found in cocaine street samples. Levamisole misleads cocaine color tests, giving a blue color (positive test) even in the absence of cocaine. Moreover, the electrochemical detection of cocaine is also affected by the presence of levamisole, with a suppression of the oxidation signal of cocaine. When levamisole is present in the sample in ratios higher than 1:1, the cocaine signal is no longer detected, thus leading to false negative results. Mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance were used to investigate if the signal suppression is due to the formation of a complex between cocaine and levamisole in bulk solution. Strategies to eliminate this suppressing effect are further suggested in this manuscript. In a first approach, the increase of the pH of the sample solution from pH 7 to pH 12 allowed the voltammetric determination of cocaine in the presence of levamisole in a concentration range from 10 to 5000 μM at nonmodified graphite disposable electrodes with a detection limit of 5 μM. In a second approach, the graphite electrode was cathodically pretreated, resulting in the prese...Continue Reading

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Citations

Mar 21, 2019·Drug Testing and Analysis·Iria González-MariñoJosé Benito Quintana
Aug 26, 2020·The Analyst·Mats de JongKarolien De Wael
Apr 6, 2020·Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry·G MoroK De Wael
Aug 22, 2020·ACS Sensors·Hazhir TeymourianJoseph Wang
Apr 3, 2021·Frontiers in Chemistry·Ana-Maria DraganRadu Oprean
Apr 23, 2021·Analytical Methods : Advancing Methods and Applications·Raquel G RochaRodrigo A A Muñoz
Jun 15, 2021·TheScientificWorldJournal·Jefferson Urzola-OrtegaDiofanor Acevedo
May 24, 2019·Analytical Chemistry·Anca FloreaKarolien De Wael

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