Improvements in Recovery, Reproducibility, and Matrix Effects with Oasis PRiME HLB, a Novel Solid Phase Extraction Sorbent

Importance of the Topic

Analyzing trace levels of synthetic cannabinoids in whole blood is critical for forensic toxicology and clinical diagnostics. Sample preparation by solid‐phase extraction (SPE) must balance speed, simplicity, and clean extracts to minimize matrix interferences.

Objectives and Study Overview

The study compared Oasis PRiME HLB, a novel reversed‐phase SPE sorbent, with several competitive SPE devices. A streamlined 3-step load-wash-elute protocol without conditioning or equilibration was evaluated for extracting 22 synthetic cannabinoids and metabolites from whole blood.

Methodology and Instrumentation

A simplified 3-step protocol was applied on Oasis PRiME HLB 10 mg 96-well plates: load pretreated blood, wash with 25% MeOH/75% water, and elute with 90/10 ACN/MeOH. Competitive SPE devices followed a standard 5-step protocol including conditioning and equilibration. UPLC-MS/MS conditions used a CORTECS UPLC C18 column (1.6 µm, 2.1×100 mm) on an ACQUITY UPLC I-Class System coupled to a Xevo TQD mass spectrometer operating in positive ESI MRM mode.

Instrumentation

• Oasis PRiME HLB 10 mg 96-well plates
• CORTECS UPLC C18 column, 90 Å, 1.6 µm, 2.1×100 mm
• ACQUITY UPLC I-Class System
• Xevo TQD mass spectrometer
• 2 mL 96-well collection plates

Main Results and Discussion

Oasis PRiME HLB delivered 90–110% recoveries for 21 of 22 analytes with 3–7% RSD, whereas competitive devices showed recoveries as low as 46% and RSDs up to 41%. Average matrix effects with Oasis PRiME HLB were 11% and consistent across the panel. Other SPE devices experienced severe ion suppression (up to 88%) for late-eluting compounds. Phospholipid monitoring demonstrated that Oasis PRiME HLB removed over 90% of endogenous phospholipids, preventing co-elution and associated suppression, as illustrated for JWH-203.

Benefits and Practical Applications

Oasis PRiME HLB streamlines SPE workflows by removing conditioning and equilibration steps, reducing processing time and consumable use. Cleaner extracts extend column lifetimes, reduce mass spectrometer maintenance, and improve quantitation reliability in forensic and clinical laboratories.

Future Trends and Possibilities

• Expansion to other biofluids and analyte classes
• Integration with high-throughput automation platforms
• Development of tailored sorbents for specific interferences
• Further reduction of matrix effects via hybrid SPE approaches

Conclusion

Oasis PRiME HLB represents a significant advancement in reversed-phase SPE, offering higher recoveries, lower variability, and minimized matrix effects with a simplified workflow. This technology enhances synthetic cannabinoid analysis and is adaptable to diverse sample preparation challenges.

References

1. Danaceau JP, Chambers EE, Fountain KJ. Analysis of synthetic cannabinoids from urine using Oasis HLB µElution Plates and CORTECS UPLC Columns. Waters Application Note 720004780EN.
2. Zhang X, Danaceau JP, Chambers EE. Simple, fast, and clean extraction of synthetic cannabinoids from whole blood using Oasis PRiME HLB. Waters Application Note 720005417EN.
3. Zhang X, Iraneta PC, Marszalkowski FJ. A simplified solid phase extraction protocol for bioanalysis using Oasis HLB. Waters Application Note 720005140EN.