Development and method validation of a sampling technique for a reproducible detection of synthetic cannabinoids in exhaled breath using an in vitro pig lung model.

The article focuses on the development and validation of a novel exhaled breath (EB) sampling technique using an in vitro pig lung model to detect the synthetic cannabinoid (SC) cumyl-5F-P7AICA, aiming to facilitate future toxicokinetic (TK) studies in anesthetized and ventilated pigs. The study established a method employing glass fiber filters (GFFs) to qualitatively and quantitatively capture cumyl-5F-P7AICA from EB, with acetone identified as the most efficient extraction solvent. Although approximately 40% of the nebulized dose was recovered across the experimental setup, only about 3.6% was detected in the GFFs due to factors such as adsorption to ventilator components and limitations of the sampling pump. The validated liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS-MS) method demonstrated acceptable sensitivity, precision, and stability, supporting the technique's reproducibility and potential application in controlled in vivo TK studies of SCs in EB.