Detection and identification of morphine in urine extracts using thin-layer chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry.

The application of tandem mass spectrometry to the analysis and identification of morphine following thin-layer chromatography is described. FAB-mass spectrometry and mass spectrometry-mass spectrometry were performed following chromatography on silica gel high-performance thin-layer chromatography plates. The successful application of this simple methodology to a urine extract suggests that this approach has practical utility for confirming the identity of abused drugs detected by thin-layer chromatography.