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Analysis of gamma-hydroxybutyrate

المؤلف:  Sue Jickells , Adam Negrusz (Editors)

المصدر:  Clarkes Analytical Forensic Toxicology

الجزء والصفحة:  P75-76

2026-09-20

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Analysis of gamma-hydroxybutyrate

The legal distinction between GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate) and gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), coupled with the potential for GBL to undergo interconversion with GHB, raises important issues in the analytical approach to GHB analysis. The potential exists for aqueous-based GBL products to undergo conversion to GHB in the time between manufacture and consumption. Some of the factors that affect this interconversion have been explored by Ciolino et al.

Colour test Cobalt nitrate 1% that gives a pink-to-violet colour is indicative of GHB. Other tests for GHB and GBL can be found in Moffat et al.

Separation and/or identification of GHB and analogues GC analysis of GHB samples result in conversion of GHB to GBL, which necessitates the need for derivatisation prior to analysis. Test samples are taken to dryness under a stream of dry air. Samples are then derivatised with bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide–trimethyl chlorosilane (BSTFA: TMCS) (99: 1) in the presence of pyridine and incubated at 70C for 30 min. GHB is detected as the di-trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivative, whereas GBL does not form a silyl derivative. HPLC can be used without derivatisation.