Researchers from the University of Nottingham recently developed a new highly sensitive steroid testing technique using hydropyrolysis—the same technique used in oil exploration. The process involves using high pressure environments to investigate the make-up and chemical structure of a sample. This oil exploration process was refined and developed by the researchers to make an accurate drug test for detecting illicit anabolic steroids in urine. This new test procedure is in the process of being commercialized and is expected to be ready for use in time for the 2012 Olympics.

The hydropyrolysis technique was applied to geochemical studies and was funded by the Natural Environment Research Council’s Ocean Margins LINK program. Researchers reconstructed the history of ocean basins, assessing if it was worth drilling for oil. The technique can detect the presence of oil or the first ‘charge’ by taking core samples over a period of time in geological terms.

The hydropyrolysis technique is also being used for archeological purposes. It is being used to refine current radio carbon dating processes. It measures the carbon 14 isotope of an archeological sample to determine its age. Professor Snape added that most of the samples use charcoal but the samples are often mixed in with later debris from the same site and thus harder to date accurately. The hydropyrolysis can easily and efficiently remove the debris so that the sample can be accurately dated. There is a fundamental research developing this technique for archeological purposes and he said that he hoped that the technique will be an acceptable model in the future for cleaning up radio carbon dating samples.

The same process can be applied to detecting illegal steroids in the urine of athletes, as well as racehorses. The sample is bombarded with high pressure hydrogen at very high temperatures of up to 500 degrees Celsius and pressures of 150 atmospheres. The process leaves cleaner sample molecules, which are in a less degraded state compared to other extraction techniques. The cleaner samples allow taking more accurate readings. The sample’s carbon isotopes are subsequently measured and the results will show the ratios of carbon 12 and carbon 13. The technique reveals the same outcome whether performed in biological or geochemical tests.

Colin Snape, professor of Chemical Engineering and Chemical Technology at the University of Nottingham, said that steroids that are naturally produced in the body have different carbon 12 and carbon 13 ratios than those that are introduced in the body illicitly. He said that by refining the measurements of the two isotopes, a very accurate test for detecting the presence of illicit steroids in athletes can be produced.

Professor Snape also said that he and his team are working with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the government body controlling and regulating the use of banned substances in major sports organizations, as well as the Olympics, to develop the technique for trial. He said that they are partnering with Strata Technology, a company based in London specializing in high pressure equipment, to prepare the technique for commercial use.

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