Thin Layer Chromatographic Separation of Diacetylmorphine (Heroin) and its Excipients: An Experimental Study

Background: Heroin is a well-known drug of abuse that is usually administered intravenously. However, smoking heroin has gained popularity in many parts of the world since it was first described in Shanghai in the 1920s. Material and Method: A total of 6 exhibits were examined in laboratory, New Delhi for research work and the physical appearances were noted for the samples as a part of the preliminary examination. The samples were received in sealed transparent plastic containers for qualitative analysis of heroin and its excipients. Result: Out of 16 systems, 11 systems are capable of resolving opium and its alkaloids, 9 systems are capable of resolving opium alkaloids in illicit heroin and 8 systems are capable of resolving opium alkaloids and adulterants in illicit heroin. Conclusion: In our study the best solvent systems are Ethyl acetate: benzene: acetonitrile: ammonia (25:30:40:5) and Toluene: acetone: ethanol: ammonia (20:20:3:1) for separation of opium alkaloids and adulterants.