Validated Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method for Analyzing LSD, iso-LSD, nor-LSD, and O-H-LSD in Blood and Urine

A validated ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method can confirm and quantify lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and three of its metabolites—iso-LSD, nor-LSD, and O-H-LSD—in blood and urine. Detection limits are as low as 5 pg/mL in blood for LSD and iso-LSD, and 10 pg/mL in urine for all analytes. The method is linear, accurate, and precise across specified concentration ranges. Applied to samples from a suspected LSD user, it marks the first reported detection of O-H-LSD in blood.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police Forensic Science and Identification Services was looking for a confirmatory method for lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). As a result, an ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was validated for the confirmation and quantitation of LSD, iso-LSD, N-demethyl-LSD (nor-LSD), and 2-oxo-3-hydroxy-LSD (O-H-LSD). Relative retention time and ion ratios were used as identification parameters. Limits of detection (LOD) in blood were 5 pg/mL for LSD and iso-LSD and 10 pg/mL for nor-LSD and O-H-LSD. In urine, the LOD was 10 pg/mL for all analytes. Limits of quantitation (LOQ) in blood and urine were 20 pg/mL for LSD and iso-LSD and 50 pg/mL for nor-LSD and O-H-LSD. The method was linear, accurate, and precise from 10 to 2000 pg/mL in blood and 20 to 2000 pg/mL in urine for LSD and iso-LSD and from 20 to 2000 pg/mL in blood and 50 to 2000 pg/mL in urine for nor-LSD and O-H-LSD with a coefficient of determination (R2) ≥ 0.99. The method was applied to blinded biological control samples and biological samples taken from a suspected LSD user. This is the first reported detection of O-H-LSD in blood from a suspected LSD user.