Doping control in Japan. An automated extraction procedure for the doping test.

This research article focuses on the creation and utilization of an automated extraction procedure for doping control in horse racing in Japan. The device is used to extract and analyze samples, enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of doping detection.

Introduction

• This research paper centres around the creation of an automated system for doping control in horse racing in Japan. As a popular sport, horse racing in Japan is divided into two systems: the National (10 racecourses) and the Regional public racing (32 racecourses), collectively holding about 2,500 racing meetings each year.
• Doping control is crucial in maintaining the integrity of the sport. Hence, urine or saliva samples from the first, second, and third-place winners are transported to a laboratory for dope testing. In 1975, the laboratory analyzed 76,117 samples.

Methods of Analysis

• The laboratory uses four methods of analysis that can be combined variously based on the request. These include methods for detecting drugs extracted by chloroform from alkalised samples, detecting camphor and its derivatives, detecting barbiturates, and detecting ethanol.
• These methods involve screening, mostly using thin layer chromatography, and confirmatory tests. The latter validates screening results using ultraviolet spectrophotometry, gas chromatography, and mass spectrometry in conjunction with gas chromatography.

Automation of Extraction Procedure

• In the doping drug screening test, alkalised samples are extracted with chloroform. As part of their research, the authors aimed to automate this extraction procedure.
• To reach this goal, they invented a new automatic extractor. Along with this, they figured out how to adjust the pH of horse urine with a buffer solution and an effective way to evaporate organic solvent.

Application and Results

• Since 1972, work has been ongoing to automate the extraction procedure in method (1) – detection of drugs extracted by chloroform from alkalinized sample. By July of that year, the Automatic Extractor was put into regular use.
• Three automatic extractors have the ability to automatically extract 120 samples per hour, enhancing the efficiency of the doping testing process. The authors present the analytical data obtained using this apparatus in the paper.

This research contributes significantly towards increasing the efficiency and accuracy of detecting doping in horse racing, ensuring a healthy competitive environment in the sport.