Abstract

Amphetamine is a widely abused psychostimulant that can be detected in various biological matrices for forensic purposes. Its metabolite, 4-hydroxyphenylacetone (4-HPA) is used as an informative biomarker of exposure in urine. This study quantified 4-HPA levels in blood and urine samples obtained from incarcerated individuals with documented histories of amphetamine use. Samples were stratified according to abstinence periods (24–48 h, 7–8 days, 15–16 days) and compared with drug-free controls and analysed with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) coupled with liquid–liquid extraction (LLE). Calibration curves for 4-HPA demonstrated excellent linearity within the range of 1–250 μg/mL (r² = 0.999). Concentrations of 4-HPA in urine were higher than in blood, making it more sensitive biological matrix. Peak concentrations were observed in the 24–48 h group, with a gradual decline during prolonged abstinence; however, levels remained above control values after 15–16 days. These findings confirm that 4-HPA could be used as a biomarker for amphetamine intake and support its practical utility in forensic toxicology, with urine serving as the preferred matrix for screening and monitoring.

Keywords: amphetamine, 4-hydroxyphenylacetone, GC-MS, forensic toxicology, urine biomarker

Article language: En