Applications and Advances of Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Techniques in the Detection of Tramadol as a Stimulant

PURPOSE The purpose of this review is to explore the application and recent advancements in the use of chromatographic-mass spectrometry techniques for detecting tramadol, a synthetic opioid analgesic, in sports. The review aims to address concerns about tramadol's potential for addiction, drug dependence, and enhancement of athletic performance, which are ethically problematic in competitive sports. METHOD The review discusses various current detection methods for tramadol, including High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD), Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionization Detection (GC-FID), Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Photodiode Array Detection (HPLC-PDA), and Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). Additionally, it reviews sample preparation techniques such as liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) and solid-phase extraction (SPE). RESULTS Chromatographic-mass spectrometry methods have been found to demonstrate high sensitivity and selectivity, which are crucial for the precise identification and quantification of tramadol and its metabolites. These methods are capable of detecting tramadol effectively, providing a reliable means for its detection in sports. CONCLUSION The review concludes that chromatographic-mass spectrometry techniques offer valuable insights for pharmaceutical laboratories, doping control scientists, and researchers. These methods are essential for addressing the ethical concerns surrounding tramadol use in sports and ensuring fair competition by detecting and quantifying the presence of this substance and its metabolites with high accuracy.