Phase I metabolites (organic acids) of gamma‐hydroxybutyric acid–validated quantification using GC–MS and description of endogenous concentration ranges

Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) is a sedative drug used in drug-facilitated crimes. Its detection window is very short. GHB undergoes intensive phase I metabolism to organic acids (glycolic acid, succinic acid, dihydroxybutyric acids). These could be potential analytical targets to broaden the detection window. The aim of the present study was to enable the detection of endogenous levels of these metabolites in biological samples (blood and urine). A gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric method using liquid-liquid extraction and derivatization with N-methyl-N-tri-methylsilyltrifluoracetamide was developed for the quantification. Validation results were consistent with international guideli…