THE POWER OF KNOWING NOW: RAPID DRUG SCREENING USING ASAP-MS

Significance of the topic

Rapid and reliable identification of illicit drugs is essential in forensic analysis. Traditional methods such as GC-MS and colorimetric tests can be time-consuming or produce false positives. A compact ambient ionization MS platform streamlines workflows, reduces analysis time, and handles a high volume of seized samples including novel psychoactive substances.

Objectives and overview of the study

This work evaluates a new small-footprint Atmospheric Solids Analysis Probe mass spectrometer (RADIⱯN-ASAP) for rapid drug screening. It compares qualitative performance against an established high-resolution MS (HRMS) screening solution. Certified reference materials and real seized samples were tested using a standardized “Dip & Detect” workflow.

Methodology

• Sample preparation: Reference standards (50 µg/mL) and seized powders/pills dissolved in methanol:water (50/50) then diluted 1:20 in methanol.
• Dip & Detect workflow: Dip a cleaned glass capillary into sample solution and insert into the ASAP source.
• Ionization: Heated nitrogen vapor delivers analyte to ASAP probe. A corona discharge ionizes solvent molecules and transfers protons to analytes.
• Acquisition parameters: Full-scan MS (m/z 50–600) at four cone voltages (15, 25, 35, 50 V), scan speed 5 Hz, desolvation at 600 °C.
• Data processing: Real-time spectral matching with LiveID 2.0 library, using a reverse-fit match factor threshold of ≥850.

Used instrumentation

• RADIⱯN-ASAP ambient ionization accessory
• Mass spectrometer coupled to LiveID 2.0 data processing software

Main results and discussion

• Library screening of 40 common illicit drug CRMs yielded match factors ≥877 for 97.5% of compounds; 90% of samples showed a single top hit.
• Analysis of over 60 police-seized samples (e.g., ketamine, MDMA, cocaine) achieved consistent identification, with spectral fingerprints acquired in under 2 minutes.
• Duplicate Dip & Detect runs demonstrated reproducibility across samples including designer drugs (e.g., flualprazolam in a ‘Xanax’ pill).
• Comparative HRMS confirmation (>95% agreement) underscored the reliability of the ASAP-MS workflow.

Benefits and practical applications

• Minimal sample preparation without chromatography accelerates throughput.
• Rapid turnaround (<2 min per sample) supports high-volume forensic labs.
• Multi-voltage acquisition generates molecular fingerprints, enhancing specificity and reducing false positives.
• Compact footprint permits deployment in satellite or mobile laboratories.

Future trends and possibilities

Integration of expanded spectral libraries and AI-driven matching algorithms will further improve detection of emerging psychoactive substances. Coupling ASAP-MS with quantitative workflows and portable mass spectrometers could enable on-site screening. Ongoing development may extend capabilities to trace analysis, direct surface sampling, and high-throughput screening in pharmaceutical quality control.

Conclusion

The compact ASAP-MS platform with the Dip & Detect workflow enables rapid, reliable forensic drug screening. Its high match confidence, minimal preparation, and alignment with HRMS benchmarks position it as a valuable tool for modern forensic laboratories.