Innovative Portable Sensor Detects Synthetic Cannabinoids in E-Cigarettes and Biological Fluids

A team of researchers has developed a groundbreaking portable sensor capable of detecting synthetic cannabinoids in e-cigarette liquids and biological samples such as saliva. Synthetic cannabinoids are laboratory-produced substances designed to mimic THC, the main psychoactive component of cannabis. Unlike natural cannabis, these synthetic variants are highly potent and can cause severe neurological effects including seizures, psychosis, and even death from overdose.

Electronic cigarettes are often marketed as nicotine delivery devices, but the liquids used can contain dangerously high levels of nicotine—sometimes up to 100 times that of traditional cigarettes—along with harmful additives like vitamin E acetate, which have been linked to serious lung injuries and fatalities, especially in the United States. In countries like Brazil, where electronic cigarettes are banned, the lack of quality control in available products raises additional health concerns.

The clandestine use of synthetic cannabinoids further compounds the risk. These substances are continually modified to enhance potency, with new versions emerging regularly. Users often remain unaware of the exact substance they are ingesting, which complicates health responses and increases overdose risks. The urgency to identify these dangerous compounds has spurred the creation of a portable detection device.

Published in the journal Talanta, this innovative electrochemical sensor employs a boron-doped diamond electrode connected via a portable potentiostat that interfaces with a smartphone through USB-C or Bluetooth. When applied to a sample, the device generates a current-voltage graph revealing specific peaks that identify and quantify the presence of synthetic cannabinoids such as AB-Chminaca and MDMB-4en-Pinaca, even at very low concentrations (as low as 0.2 µM). It exhibits high selectivity despite complex sample matrices, making it an effective tool for both law enforcement and public health emergencies.

This miniaturized sensor is not only simple to operate but also reusable, offering a stable and reliable method for on-the-spot testing. Its versatility extends to screening for other psychoactive substances, including LSD, cathinones, and phenylethylamines, with ongoing efforts to integrate visual indicators for easier interpretation.

The device's practical applications are broad, ranging from forensic investigations to harm reduction initiatives at festivals and public events. It provides real-time information that can inform emergency treatments and prevent poisoning. Additionally, the researchers aim to extend its use to analyze oral fluid samples for more immediate substance identification.

Developed through collaboration with international institutions, including the University of Technology in Bratislava and the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), this sensor addresses a critical need for accessible, fast, and accurate drug detection methods in the face of rapidly evolving synthetic drug landscapes. As new variants continue to appear, such innovations are vital for protecting public health and enhancing drug control strategies.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-10-portable-sensor-synthetic-cannabinoids-cigarettes.html