Tests used to identify heroin are slow and expensive. Relying on mass
spectrometry, they can not be used for on-the-spot luggage checks.
The National Research Development Corporation has come up with a fast,
portable heroin detection technique using enzymes (WO 90/13634) for detecting
heroin in powder form and in body fluids.
The test uses two enzymes: acetylmorphine carboxylesterase catalyses
the breakdown of heroin, liberating acetate ions which can be detected by
a change of resistance, and morphine dehydrogenase oxidises morphine – the
breakdown product of heroin in blood and urine – to morphinone. This reaction
generates an electric current which can be detected.
