Analysis of LSD in human body fluids and hair samples applying ImmunElute columns

Immunoaffinity extraction units (LSD ImmunElute(TM)) are commercially avail able for the analysis of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in urine. The Imm unElute resin contains immobilized monoclonal antibodies to LSD. We applied the ImmunElute procedure to serum and also to human hair samples. For hair analysis the samples were first extracted with methanol under sonication. The extracts were then purified using the ImmunElute resin. LSD analysis wa s carried out with HPLC and fluorescence detection. The immunoaffinity extr action provides highly purified extracts for chromatographic analysis. The limit of detection (signal-to-noise ratio=3) has been determined to be <50 pg regardless of which sample material was used. The procedure was applied to authentic hair samples from drug abusers (n=11). One of these samples te sted positive with an amount of 110 pg LSD in 112 mg extracted hair corresp onding to a concentration of 1 pg/mg. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd . All rights reserved.