Methanol has been used as a solvent for cocaine extraction form banknotes2, 4, 9, 10. It was reported as a non-destructive method unlike other solvents like chlorinated solvents11 and acetonitrile1 as they were responsible for damage and partial destruction of the banknotes respectively.
Various sources of contamination affect the banknotes through handling it such as sweat, dust and so on. Additionally, banknotes are contaminated by different sources of drugs like amphetamine, nicotine and heroin ref., all these factors could interfere with the immunoassay. This can be avoided by evaporation of the extract to dryness followed by resuspension in 1 ml methanol and was subsequent by centrifugation for 15 min. Afterward, the supernatant was diluted
Various sources of contamination affect the banknotes through handling it such as sweat, dust and so on. Additionally, banknotes are contaminated by different sources of drugs like amphetamine, nicotine and heroin ref., all these factors could interfere with the immunoassay. This can be avoided by evaporation of the extract to dryness followed by resuspension in 1 ml methanol and was subsequent by centrifugation for 15 min. Afterward, the supernatant was diluted