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Patent

Method for detecting a narcotic in the presence of an interferant

The present invention relates to a method for determining the presence of a narcotic (e.g. cocaine) in a mixture comprising at least one interferant. The method comprises: (a) determining a voltage at which, in absence of the interferant, a voltammetric signal of the narcotic can be detected; (b) contacting an electrode with the mixture comprising the at least one interferant and potentially comprising the narcotic; (c) applying a pretreatment potential to the electrode for a duration of at least 5 seconds, preferably at least 60 seconds, yet more preferably at least 200 seconds (e.g. 360 s), the pretreatment potential measuring between - 0.4 V and -2 V versus Ag/AgCI, preferably between -0.5 V and -1.2 V; (d) measuring a voltammetric response of the mixture, the measurement comprising at least the determined voltage; and (e) determining whether the narcotic is present in the mixture by analyzing whether the voltammetric signal of the narcotic (201), resolved from a voltammetric signal of the interferant (202: phenacetine, 203: levamisole), can be detected in the measured voltammetric response.
Patent Publication Number: WO2019076829
Year filing: 2019
Year approval: 2020
Year publication: 2019
Status: Requested
Technology domains: Measurement, Analysis of biological materials
Validated for IOF-key: Yes
Attributed to: Associatie Universiteit & Hogescholen Antwerpen