Selective drug trace detection with low-field NMR
Stefan Glöggler,Meike Emondts,Johannes Colell,Rafael Müller,Bernhard Blümich
Analyst Pub Date : 02/17/2011 00:00:00 , DOI:10.1039/C0AN01048K
Abstract

Advances with para-hydrogen induced polarization open up new fields of applications for portable low-field NMR. Here we report the possibility of tracing drugs down to the micromolar regime. We could selectively polarize nicotine quantities similar to those found in one cigarette. Also less than 1 mg of harmine, a drug used for treatment of Parkinson's disease, and morphine extracted from an ***** solution were detectable after polarization with para-hydrogen in single-scan 1H-experiments. Moreover, we demonstrate the possibility to selectively enhance and detect the 1H-signal of drug molecules with PHIP in proton rich standard solutions that would otherwise mask the 1H NMR signal of the drug.

Graphical abstract: Selective drug trace detection with low-field NMR