Analysis of methaqualone in biological matrices by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography. Comparison with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

The analysis of methaqualone (MTQ) in biological matrices by capillary electrophoresis (CE) is described. This methods uses liquid-liquid extraction and micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MECC), an operation mode of CE. Separations are made using a 25 cm long capillary and a borate/phosphate buffer at pH 8.2. Using gas chromatography with mass spectrometry detection (GC-MS) as reference method, MTQ has been analyzed in urine, blood, gastric content and hair. For hair analysis, supercritical fluid extraction was compared with liquid-liquid extraction. Linearity was established in urine and blood between 0.25 and 10.0 micrograms/ml. MTQ recovery from blood was estimated at 60%. The limit of detection of this method in urine is about 0.10 microgram/ml. Drawbacks and advantages of MECC over GC-MS are discussed.