Point-of-care community drug checking technologies: an insider look at the scientific principles and practical considerations

. 2023 Mar 25;20:39. doi: 10.1186/s12954-023-00764-3

Why do some compounds not show up on GC–MS even if they are present in high enough concentrations?
Some common cutting agents such as sugars have high boiling points and therefore are not volatilized to a large extent, and do not enter the column in appreciable quantities [107]. Some drug molecules are not suitable for identification with GC–MS given that they do not ionize, have limited solubility in the selected solvent, or ultimately do not have a unique retention time or mass spectrum for subsequent identification.

Why do some compounds not show up on GC–MS even if they are present in high enough concentrations?

Some common cutting agents such as sugars have high boiling points and therefore are not volatilized to a large extent, and do not enter the column in appreciable quantities [107]. Some drug molecules are not suitable for identification with GC–MS given that they do not ionize, have limited solubility in the selected solvent, or ultimately do not have a unique retention time or mass spectrum for subsequent identification.