Microarray-Based Nanoextraction Combined with Ambient Ionization Mass Spectrometry for Analysis of Drugs of Abuse in Wastewater

Anal Chem. 2025 Jul 1;97(25):12963-12970. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.4c05857. Epub 2025 Jun 18.

Abstract

There is a significant need to simplify the analytical workflow for complex sample analysis. In particular, those innovations that are high-throughput, miniaturized, reliable, and more-resource conscientious are especially important. Given these considerations, a nanoextraction microarray composed of sessile microdroplets is herein proposed; this nanoextraction is achieved using a long-chain organic acid, namely, myristic acid, as the extractant. Different drugs of abuse (i.e., cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and oxycodone) in wastewater were used as the analyte:sample model. Under the optimized conditions (i.e., pH = 10, 23 nL of myristic acid as the extractant, and 20 min as the extraction time), the method was applied to a complex matrix (i.e., wastewater) as a proof-of-principle, giving limits of detection and preconcentration factors in the ranges of 0.194-0.871 μg/L and 2.1-9.9, respectively. The chemically green(er) organic acid extractant, high preconcentration factors, and throughput are advantages of the proposed method.

MeSH terms

  • Illicit Drugs* / analysis
  • Illicit Drugs* / isolation & purification
  • Limit of Detection
  • Microarray Analysis*
  • Nanotechnology*
  • Wastewater* / analysis
  • Wastewater* / chemistry
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical* / analysis

Substances

  • Wastewater
  • Illicit Drugs
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical