Matrix-Free Laser Desorption Ionization Mass Spectrometry as an Efficient Tool for the Rapid Detection of Opiates in Crude Extracts of Papaver somniferum

Having
a long history of traditional medicinal applications, Papaver somniferum is also known as a source of various
pharmacologically highly active opiates. Consequently, their detection
from plant extracts is an important analytical task and generally
addressed by methods of GC−MS and LC–MS. However, opiates
do also show structural similarities to matrix molecules used in matrix-assisted
laser desorption ionization (LDI) and may therefore ionize upon simple
laser irradiation. Following this analytical approach, the present
work thoroughly evaluated the direct detection of opiates by matrix-free
LDI in crude extracts of P. somniferum. The method facilitated the identification of 10 reported opiates
by their molecular formulas without any chromatographic prepurification.
Moreover, a principal component analysis based on LDI-MS data permitted
the correct grouping of all extracts according to their inherent chemistry.
Concluding experiments on serial dilutions of thebaine further evaluated
potential quantitative applications of the method. Overall results
highlight the promising potential of LDI-MS for the swift detection
of opiates in complex mixtures.