The determination of α- and β-thujone in human serum - Simple analysis of absinthe congener substance.

Absinthe is a strong spirit beverage, mostly green in color, containing besides ethyl alcohol (main component), alcoholic macerate of wormwood and other plants such as star anise and fennel seed. Due to the potential risks associated with the presence of α- and β-thujone many countries have implemented strict rules limiting the content of these congeners in alcohol products. The presented paper describes a simple and sensitive method for the determination of α- and β-thujone in human serum using Solid Phase Extraction as a sample preparation method combined with GC/MS analysis. The procedure involves the protein precipitation process, which generally degrades the protein-analyte complex, and SPE isolation of thujone from the examined materials. The described method is characterized by a low LOD and a very high recovery of the analytes. The present method for the estimation of α- and β-thujone concentration in human fluids after the consumption of alcoholic beverages and other foods containing the substance is applicable in forensic and clinical toxicology because of its simplicity and rapidness with high sensitivity.