This research focuses on finding a method to detect flunitrazepam (a derivative of the date rape drug Rohypnol) in different beverages, such as beer, hard liquor, and soda by using Liquid Chromatography/Mass spectrometry (LC/MS).  Flunitrazepam is a potent hypnotic and powerful sedative used to treat medical conditions, but it has been added to beverages to render the drinker incapable of remembering certain events.  The affects of taking the drug are greatly increased in combination with alcohol. Today the drug is considered a date rape drug due to the reporting of sexual assaults by victims with no memory of the event after consuming alcohol. In addition to LC/MS, thin layer chromatography is used in the detection of flunitrazepam in beverages.  Thin layer chromatography techniques have also been used to detect flunitrazepam in urine and blood; therefore a new set of solvents was studied for the detection of flunitrazepam in beverages.

Detection of flunitrazepam in beverages

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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