Keller Emma L, Peake Brock, Simpson Bradley S, White Jason M, Gerber Cobus
Clinical and Health Sciences, Health and Biomedical Innovation, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia.
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2025 Apr 22. doi: 10.1007/s11356-025-36425-0.
A class of novel synthetic opioids, nitazenes, have infiltrated the illicit drug market worldwide. Their high potency leading to overdose and fatality is a public health concern. Xylazine is a non-opiate sedative typically used for veterinary applications. The drug has recently appeared as an adulterant in the informal drug market, particularly within opioid drugs such as fentanyl and heroin. Determining the extent of use of these drugs is challenging due to low levels consumed. Wastewater analysis has been applied to monitor novel psychoactive substance use at a population level. This study presents the validation of a sensitive analytical method for the detection and quantification of trace levels of nitazenes and xylazine in wastewater. A solid phase extraction method was employed, yielding a concentration factor of 1000-fold. The method was applied to wastewater samples collected in Australia. Five different nitazenes were found near the limit of detection and quantitation levels, with detection frequencies ranging from 3 to 6% of all samples analysed. Xylazine was detected at a higher detection frequency (26% of all samples analysed). The method presented in this study could be used as an early warning system to track the use of xylazine and nitazenes internationally.
一类新型合成阿片类药物——硝氮烯，已渗透到全球非法毒品市场。其高效力导致过量用药和死亡，这是一个公共卫生问题。赛拉嗪是一种非阿片类镇静剂，通常用于兽医领域。该药物最近在非正式毒品市场中作为掺杂物出现，尤其是在芬太尼和海洛因等阿片类药物中。由于这些药物的使用量较低，确定其使用程度具有挑战性。废水分析已被用于在人群层面监测新型精神活性物质的使用情况。本研究展示了一种灵敏分析方法的验证，该方法用于检测和定量废水中痕量的硝氮烯和赛拉嗪。采用了一种固相萃取方法，浓缩系数达1000倍。该方法应用于在澳大利亚采集的废水样本。在检测限和定量限附近发现了五种不同的硝氮烯，在所分析的所有样本中，其检测频率为3%至6%。赛拉嗪的检测频率更高（在所分析的所有样本中占26%）。本研究中提出的方法可作为一种早期预警系统，用于在国际上追踪赛拉嗪和硝氮烯的使用情况。
