Determination of ethanol in blood using headspace gas chromatography with flameionization detector (HS-GC-FID): Validation of a method

Abstract

Ethanol is a common psychoactive substance that has been widely consumed in several parts of the world. Gas chromatography (GC) coupled with flame ionisation detector (FID) has often been used for the determination of blood alcohol concentration. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a very simple and reliable HS-GC-FID method for quantitative determination of ethanol in blood sample. Validation of the method was performed by means of Bias, Linearity, LOD, Selectivity, Specificity, Precision, Robustness and Intermediate precision. The method showed an excellent linearity with correlation coefficient (r² = 0.993) was observed in the range from 0.1 to 3.5 mg/mL of ethanol. The percent recovery value were between 91.0 and 109.1 which was with an acceptable percent recovery, The precision (repeatability) was reported as 27 % and intermediate precision of the method resulted in 11% and 1 % for two analysts. The limit of detection (LOD) of ethanol was calculated as 0.099 mg/mL and the selectivity of the method for interferents (methanol and acetaldehyde) was totally selective. Generally, the results obtained confirmed that the method is relatively fast, precise, simple, robust and can be used in routine forensic analyses for the determination of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at a concentration level greater than 0.13 mg/mL.

Keywords:

• ethanol
• blood
• validation
• gas chromatography
• head space

PUBLIC INTEREST STATEMENT

Alcoholic intoxication frequently results some impairments that can lead to violent crimes during driving, sexual abuse and fatal accidents. Ethanol is commonly used in forensic toxicology analysis mainly in post-mortem analysis, which causes alcohol intoxications. Several analytical methods have been used to determine the amount of ethanol in various samples. Among these gas chromatography (GC), which is most precise and reliable analytical method, has been used for the quantitative determination of alcohol in human blood, urine and oral fluids for forensic toxicological analysis. Thus, the researchers were interested and worked on the development of cheaper, environment-friendly and efficient novel methods for the fast and accurate determination of ethanol in human-based samples, which is expected to have greater importance for alleviating the risks associated to alcoholic intoxications.

Competing interests

The authors declares no competing interests.

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Additional information

Funding

The authors received no direct funding for this research.

Notes on contributors

Libargachew Demlie Mihretu

L. D. Mihretu is Lecturer at the Department of Chemistry, Mekelle University, Ethiopia. He holds MSc degree in Analytical Chemistry & in Forensic Toxicology. He is experienced in carrying out researches aimed at the evaluation of different human specimens and environmental samples using different analytical techniques.

Asfaw Gebretsadik Gebru

A. G. Gebru is Lecturer at the Department of Chemistry, Mekelle University, Ethiopia. He holds MSc degrees in Environmental Chemistry. He has more than 3 articles published in reputable local and international journals.

Kebede Nigussie Mekonnen

K. N. Mekonnen (PhD) is working as analytical and environmental chemist at the Department of Chemistry, Mekelle University, Ethiopia. He has more than 15 articles published in reputable local and international journals.

Abraha Gebrekidan Asgedom

A. G. Asgedom (PhD) is working as analytical and environmental chemist at the Department of Chemistry, Mekelle University, Ethiopia. He has more than 30 articles published in reputable local and international journals.

Ykalo Hadush Desta

Y. H. Desta Lecturer at the Department of Chemistry, Mekelle University, Ethiopia. He holds MSc degrees in Environmental Chemistry