Comparison of Species-Specific ß-Glucuronidase Hydrolysis of Cannabinoids in Human Urine

Kemp PM, Cliburn KD

FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine - Civil Aerospace Medical Institute

关键词: Forensic Science;    Toxicology;    Hydrolysis;    Glucuronidase;    Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry;    Cannabinoids;    Tetrahydrocannabinol;    Aviation;   

RP-ID  :  DOT/FAA/AM-15/6

美国|英语

来源: Federal Aviation Administration

【 摘 要 】

Toxicological investigations of fatal aviation accidents include testing for Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active component of marijuana, and its major metabolite, 11-nor-9-carboxy-Delta-9-THC (THCCOOH) in postmortem fluids and tissues from deceased pilots. These cannabinoids, as well as others, exist in human urine as their glucuronide conjugates, formed during Phase II metabolism to increase their solubility for excretion. Prior to the analysis of cannabinoids in urine by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS), it is desirable to cleave (hydrolyze) the glucuronic acid to enhance the detection of the unconjugated compounds. In the current study, ß-glucuronidases from 3 mollusk species (Helix pomatia, Patella vulgate, and Haliotis rufescens), 1 bacteria (Escherichia coli), and bovine liver were compared for their quantitative efficiency in hydrolyzing the glucuronide bond in spiked, blank urine.