Benchtop FT-NMR: a versatile tool for customs applications and food challenges

This doctoral thesis explores the application of low-field benchtop nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy based on Fourier transform (Benchtop FT-NMR), used as an innovative technology for the identification and quantification of substances in customs, forensic, and food sectors. Both one- and two-dimensional spectra of various nuclei (¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁹F, ²³Na) were employed. The work is divided into two main sections: the first focuses on forensic analysis and the control of narcotic substances; the second is dedicated to food and environmental authentication and safety. Through collaboration with the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission and the network of European customs laboratories (CLEN), official national customs analytical methods (MADs) have been developed and are currently under validation. These include the detection of food fraud, adulterants in fuels and food, and the identification and quantification of drugs of abuse. Additionally, the research enabled the identification of new psychoactive substances (NPS), precursors of synthetic drugs (such as IMDPAM, PMK, and BMK), SARMs used in sports doping, and fluorinated gases. The installation of 15 Benchtop FT-NMR spectrometers (80 MHz- Magritek Mod. Spinsolve HF Multi-X Nuclei Ultra) in Italian customs laboratories led to the creation of a national network of 53 chemists, supported by training courses, proficiency tests, and standardized operating protocols. This initiative facilitated the development of MADs and laid the groundwork for the creation of an LFNMR database, aimed at the rapid identification of frauds, adulterations, and unknown substances. The results demonstrate that Benchtop FT-NMR is a reliable, cost-effective, and fast tool, capable of providing both qualitative and quantitative analyses even in complex matrices, significantly contributing to public health protection, food safety, and the fight against commercial fraud.