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Neutral Fraction

Definition

The organic phase recovered when the aqueous is buffered to pH 7 to 9 and extracted with a less polar solvent like methyl tert-butyl ether or ethyl acetate. Carries the weakly basic and neutral drugs: benzodiazepines, zolpidem, carbamazepine, phenytoin and legacy methadone and propoxyphene.

Related terms

Acid Fraction
The organic phase recovered when the biological aqueous is acidified to pH 2 to 3 and shaken with diethyl ether or chloroform....
Alkaline Fraction
The organic phase recovered when the aqueous is basified to pH 9 to 10 with ammonium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide and shaken...
Cut-Off
The minimum analyte concentration that an SFSL reports as positive. SAMHSA-style serum cut-offs commonly used at Indian labs include morphine 2 ng/mL,...
DFC
Drug-facilitated crime, the umbrella term for sexual assault, robbery or kidnapping in which a victim has been incapacitated by a clandestinely administered...
pKa
The negative logarithm of the acid dissociation constant. For a basic drug it is the pH at which half the molecules are...
Post-Mortem Redistribution
The movement of drugs from solid tissues into central blood after death, due to diffusion along concentration gradients, autolytic enzyme release, and...

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