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. 2023 Jul;415(18):3749-3758.
doi: 10.1007/s00216-023-04644-4. Epub 2023 Mar 23.

Trends and challenges in analytical chemistry for multi-analysis of illicit drugs employing wastewater-based epidemiology

Ana Flávia Barbosa de Oliveira  1 , Aline de Melo Vieira  1 , Jandyson Machado Santos  2
Affiliations

Trends and challenges in analytical chemistry for multi-analysis of illicit drugs employing wastewater-based epidemiology

Ana Flávia Barbosa de Oliveira et al. Anal Bioanal Chem. 2023 Jul.

Abstract

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) for quantification of illicit drug biomarkers (IDBs) in wastewater samples is an effective tool that can provide information about drug consumption. The most commonly quantified IDBs belong to different chemical classes, including cocaine, amphetamine-type stimulants, opioids, and cannabinoids, so the different chemical properties of these molecules pose a challenge in the development of analytical methods for multi-analyte analysis. Recent workflows include the steps of sampling and storage, sample preparation using solid-phase extraction (SPE) or without extraction, and quantification of analytes employing gas or liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The greatest difficulty is due to the fact that wastewater samples are complex chemical mixtures containing analytes with different chemical properties, often present at low concentrations. Therefore, in the development of analytical methods, there is the need to simplify and optimize the analytical workflows, reducing associated uncertainties, analysis times, and costs. The present work provides a critical bibliographic survey of studies published from the year 2020 until now, highlighting the challenges and trends of published analytical workflows for the multi-analysis of IDBs in wastewater samples, considering sampling and sample preparation, method validation, and analytical techniques.

Keywords: Extraction; Gas chromatography; Illicit drugs; Liquid chromatography; Wastewater-based epidemiology.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Schematic summary of the steps involved in the analysis of IDBs in wastewater
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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