Ethanol Reference Materials

Alcohol (ethanol) is one of the oldest and most commonly consumed recreational drugs. Self-reporting of alcohol consumption is objective and inherently unreliable. This has led to an intensive search for reliable markers of chronic, excessive drinking.

 

The detection of ethanol in biological specimens indicates recent alcohol consumption or exposure, but the detection window is very short.

 

Alcohol biomarkers can be used to extend the window of time for detection and can persist long after complete elimination of ethanol. In this way they are useful relapse or abstinence markers.

 

Featured Products:
EtG and EtS
PEth (16:0/18:1)-13C3 NH4*
PEth (16:0/18:1)-glycero-d5 NH4*
BHB-d4 Na salt
FAEE’s

 

Ethanol Related RMs:
Neat and calibrated solutions
Native and isotopically labelled compounds
Ethanol and biomarker standards
Chemically synthesized PEth
Alcohol detoxification therapeutics
Congener alcohol mixes

 

View our Ethanol Reference Materials sell sheet here.

Toxicology Reference Materials Catalogue

We are a globally trusted brand, offering the most innovative portfolio of analytical reference materials for toxicology and forensic testing.

Ensure accuracy in your analysis with toxicology reference materials.

 

Featured Products
Drugs of abuse
Prescription medication
New Psychoactive Substances (NPS)
Precursors and intermediates

 

Toxicology Reference Materials
Isotopically labeled internal standards
Neat substances
Single compound solutions and mixes
Custom capabilities

 

View our Toxicology Reference Materials sell sheet here.

BMF 104 - NBOMes

N-Benzyl phenethylamines (NBOMes) are a class of new psychoactive substances (NPS) that have been appearing on the recreational drug market since the 2010s.

 

NBOMes are most commonly found on blotting papers, on which individual doses are absorbed. They have also appeared in liquid and in powder form.

 

NBOMes have been associated with severe intoxications, leading to tachycardia and cardiac arrest, intense hallucinations, organ failure, coma and even death. 

 

Side effects of NBOMes include:

 

Euphoria
Altered consciousness
Enhanced visual and auditory
sensations
Hyperthermia
Nausea
Agitation and paranoia

 

Chiron's issue of BMF 104 provides awareness of the applications, concerns and regulations associated with NBOMes and introduces the available reference materials to monitor their use.

 

Download BMF 104 - NBOMes. 

Featured product: Fentanyl

Fentanyl is a highly potent synthetic opioid used as an analgesic (pain relief) and anaesthetic, which is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that over 150 people die every day from overdoses related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl. 

In the US illicit drug market, fentanyl is also being increasingly found adulterated with an animal tranquillizer called xylazine, and has been linked to overdose deaths.

 

Are you testing for fentanyl and/or its adulterants?

 

Download our Feature Product flyer to learn more about our portfolio of reference materials for fentanyl, its precursors and emerging adulterants. 

BMF 102 - Nitazenes | Volume 2, July 2023

Nitazenes (2-benzylbenzimidazoles) are highly potent new synthetic opioids (NSO) that have recently emerged onto the recreational drug market.

 

Several international reports of severe toxicity involving nitazenes, especially isotonitazene, have highlighted the significant threat they pose to public health and safety.

 

Toxicology laboratories should ensure that nitazenes are included in forensic testing protocols and remain vigilant in relation to the rapidly expanding class of NSOs.

 

Download BMF 102 - Nitazenes, Volume 2 here. 

 

BMF 75 - Benzodiazepines | Volume 3, July 2023

Benzodiazepines are a common class of prescription medication. They are used therapeutically for a number of applications, including control of epilepsy, reducing anxiety, as adjuncts to anaesthesia, to treat insomnia, and for alcohol withdrawal.

 

Benzodiazepines are also one of the most frequently abused class of drugs. An expanding range of new, designer benzodiazepines now supplement prescription only forms, and have exacerbated concerns regarding their misuse and addiction.

 

Chiron's latest issue of  BMF 75  provides awareness of the applications, concerns and regulations associated with Benzodiazepines and introduces the available analytical standards to monitor their use.

 

Download BMF 75 - Benzodiazepines, Volume 3 here. 

 

BMF 96 - 13C-labelled internal standards for toxicology

Quantitation of an analyte is usually accomplished by measuring the response obtained relative to an internal standard (IS). These are used to compensate for loss of analyte during sample preparation and for variation in mass spectrometric analysis (i.e. ionization efficiency and subtle variations in MS analysis). The assumption is that IS losses will be similar to losses of analyte. If a known quantity of IS is added to the unknown sample prior to any manipulations, the ratio of IS to analyte remains constant, because the same fraction of each is lost in any operation.

 

Find out more about the properties on an ideal IS, and the relative advantages and disadvantages of deuterated vs 13C labelled variants in our latest newsletter; BMF 96

BMF 95 - Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2) is a virus that first appeared in Wuhan, China in late 2019. COVID-19 is a virus that is likely to have zoonotic origins much like other coronaviruses; SARS (SARS-CoV) and MERS. This disease is highly contagious and is now classified as a pandemic. Although most people infected are asymptomatic, have mild or varied symptoms, severe cases include difficulty breathing and require hospitalisation. The vulnerable population include people over 60 and those with a weakened immune system or pre-existing health conditions. People with higher chances of complications include smokers, those with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer. Since there are still many unknowns, researching this disease is paramount amongst the scientific community. Currently, there are no vaccines or treatments for COVID-19, but some clinical trials aim to find drugs already available to help aid in treatment of the disease.

 

Chiron now offer a range of reference materials for the proposed COVID-19 therapeutics, to support hospital and research laboratories in their vital search for a cure.

View our offering here

BMF 85 - Biogenic Amines

Phaeochromocytoma (PCC) is a rare tumour in the adrenal glands, affecting less than 1 person per 2,000.

The tumour causes excess secretion of catecholamine’s resulting in hypertension, but can also lead to diabetes-like symptoms.

Laboratory diagnosis includes measurement of urine catecholamine’s or urine and plasma metanephrines.

Chiron now offer native and labelled standards as well as standard mixes for these diagnostic markers.

Find out more about PCC and available standards: biogenic amine newsletter.

BMF 84 - Antipsychotics

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), schizophrenia affects 21 million people worldwide.

Schizophrenia is treatable with antipsychotics, enabling sufferers to lead a productive life and be integrated in society.

Antipsychotics are commonly detected or monitored in toxicology case work.

Chiron offers a wide range of antipsychotic reference materials and associated internal standards to aid laboratory analysis.

 

Click here to find out more.

BMF 83 - Antidepressants

Depression is a common psychiatric disorder affecting millions of people worldwide. It is caused by an imbalance of chemicals in the brain, namely serotonin and noradrenaline. Everyone experiences highs and lows, but depression is characterized by persistent sadness for weeks or months. With depression there is a lasting feeling of hopelessness, often accompanied by anxiety. Sufferers lose interest in things that they previously enjoyed, and experience bouts of tearfulness. Rational thinking and decision making are impacted. Physical manifestations include tiredness, insomnia, loss of appetite and sex drive, aches and pains. That its worst depression can cause the sufferer to feel suicidal.

 

Chiron offers a wide range of antidepressant reference materials and associated internal standards

 

Download our newsletter on Antidepressants here.

BMF 92 - Antibiotics

Antibiotics are medicines used to treat infections caused by bacteria. People at a high risk may also be given antibiotics to prevent bacterial infections, known as antibiotic prophylaxis. Antibiotics work by killing bacteria i.e. by destroying the cell wall (bactericidal), or preventing them from reproducing and spreading (bacteriostatic). Mild bacterial infections usually get better on their own without using antibiotics. Instead antibiotics should be reserved to treat bacterial infections that are unlikely to resolve on their own, may have a prolonged duration, or lead to serious complications if left untreated. They are also prescribed when an infection may pose a risk to others. When prescribed, antibiotics are effective in easing symptoms and speeding up recovery. In some instances they are lifesaving! Antibiotics don’t work against viral infections such as colds and flu.

 

Click here to find out more.

BMF 86 - Carfentanil

Carfentanyl is an ultra-potent synthetic opioid. It is the most powerful opioid commercially available, being 10,000 times stronger than morphine and 100 times more potent than fentanyl. It can be fatal in the low to sub milligram range. Carfentanyl is not approved for human use, but is instead intended for use in veterinary practice, to rapidly incapacitate large animals. 

Read more about Carfentanil and what Chiron can offer here.

Kura Biotech

Kura Biotech-The β-glucuronidase Experts!

 

Inspired by Nature, Moved by Science. What started as a way of sustainably recycling byproducts from a family owned abalone farm took a five-year R&D ride to give birth to the purest and fastest known beta-glucuronidase.

 

Download the flyer here.

BMF 77- Alcohol Biomarkers

Self-reporting of alcohol consumption is objective and inherently unreliable.  This has led to an intensive search for a reliable marker of chronic, excessive drinking. The detection of ethanol in biological specimens indicates recent alcohol consumption or exposure but the detection window is very short. Alcohol biomarkers can be used to extend the time window for detection and can persist long after complete elimination of ethanol. In this way they are useful relapse or abstinence markers. 

 

Download the BMF newsletter here.

BMF 78-Methylphenidate Related New Psychoactive Substances

Methylphenidate (Ritalin) is a prescription only medication used for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It also has an unlicensed application in the treatment of narcolepsy. Due to its stimulant effects it is under International control, appearing in Schedule II of the Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971 (Green list). The recommended dosage for children between 6 and 18 years is a maximum of 60mg daily in 2-3 divided daily doses. Tablets are available as 5, 10 or 20mg. Serum therapeutic concentrations of methylphenidate are between 5-60ng/mL and toxicity has been observed with concentrations exceeding 500ng/mL.

 

Download the BMF newsletter here!

 

New Psychoactive Substances, Edition 6

In 2017, 51 new compounds were reported to the EMCDDA for the first time, bringing the total number of substances monitored to more than 670 . Following a high of 101 substances notified in 2014, the number has decreased. While this is a positive trend, the concerning development in the market has been the significant increase in the availability of new synthetic opioids. A total of 38 have been reported with highly potent fentanyls (n=28) dominating. 

 

Chiron works closely with clinical and forensic institutions to proactively meet demand for NPS reference materials. Edition 6 of our NPS catalog showcases our impressive range of available standards in this field. We now also provide mixes of NPS as well as custom made solutions.

Click here to view our catalogue