Abstract

Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), usually reported as rape drug in drug-facilitated sexual assaults (DFSA), is an endogenous substance in human body and is also found in many beverages. This may lead to data misinterpretation in forensic cases. Herein, we aimed to collect evidence about natural GHB presence in 13 energy drinks (ED). After a liquid–liquid extraction with acidic ethyl acetate, samples were derivatized with BSTFA 1% TMCS. Analyses were carried out by a GC–MS system in SIM mode (GHB, 233, 234, 143 and 147 m/z; GHB-d₆, 239, 240, 120 and 206 m/z). GHB was present in all the samples at very low concentrations ranging from 98 to 197 ng/mL. Thus, GHB presence in ED is not exclusively related to exogenous addition. Since the GHB levels are far lower than the minimum active dose (i.e., 0.5 g), it is not expected to induce any effect.

中文翻译：

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能量饮料中GHB天然存在的证据：怀疑DFSA病例的数据解释时要谨慎。

摘要

γ-羟基丁酸（GHB）通常在药物促性侵犯（DFSA）中作为强奸药被报道，是人体中的一种内源性物质，也存在于许多饮料中。在法医案例中，这可能导致数据误解。在此，我们旨在收集有关13种能量饮料（ED）中天然GHB存在的证据。用酸性乙酸乙酯进行液-液萃取后，将样品用BSTFA 1％TMCS衍生化。通过GC-MS系统以SIM模式（GHB，233、234、143和147 m / z； GHB-d ₆，239、240、120和206 m / z）。所有样品中的GHB浓度都非常低，范围从98到197 ng / mL。因此，ED中GHB的存在并不仅仅与外源性添加有关。由于GHB水平远低于最小有效剂量（即0.5 g），因此预期不会产生任何作用。