How to test MDA?
GUIDE How to test MDA?
How to test MDA (ecstasy): reduce risk by using an MDA test kit to check it for adulterants. Pure MDA can look white, brown or tan and can’t be identified by appearence. To test MDA use reagent tests Marquis, Mecke, Robadope and Simon’s in single-use or multiple-use test kits. Reagent tests are simple chemicals that indicate presence of a substance by reacting with different color change to different substances. To test you need just 1 drop of a reagent and a small sample, about this big -> ●. To detect all ingredients and estimate potency it’s required to use an additional MDA purity test kit. To detect fentanyl or test for fentanyl analogs use the fentanyl test strips.
Reagents presumptively indicate PRESENCE, but not PURITY or QUANTITY. Use different reagent tests to improve accuracy and to detect adulterants – 90% of adulterants will react with 1 out of 3 tests, and 95% with 1 out of 5. To detect all ingredients and estimate potency it’s required to use an additional purity test kit. A positive or negative test result does not indicate if the substance is safe. No substance is 100% safe.
How can I test MDA?
Short instructions:
BEFORE using an MDA test kit
- it’s RECOMMENDED to record the reaction to compare later.
- if testing a pill, crush it finely and proceed testing using the powder
MDA testing instructions
- Take a (small) piece of your powder/pill, about this big -> ●.
- Put it on a suitable testing plate, preferably a spot test plate or the bottom/underside of a ceramic mug (example). *If using single-use vials insert the sample and observe, as the reagent is already within.
- Add one (or two) drops of Marquis reagent test (or other supplied) on the sample and wait for the results.
- Check reagent test results with instructions below.
- Consider using the TLC MDA Purity Test Kit to double check possible adulterants and estimate potency.
AFTER using an MDA test kit
- OPTIONAL: Pour baking soda over a finished reaction to neutralize used reagents.
- Wash testing surface under running water.
For full instructions scroll further down below.
VIDEO & RESULTS Watch how to test MDA
TL;DR: Below is an image with a quick cheat sheet how to use the MDA Test Kit, and further down you can check out more detailed guide how to test MDA. Use the MDA reagent test results chart to see how to use Marquis reagent, Mecke, Robadope and Simon’s and what are the expected results.
All MDA test results:
| TEST | MDA |
| MARQUIS | Instant purple / brown > black |
| MECKE | Instant green > black |
| MANDELIN | Instant blue > black |
| LIEBERMANN | Instant brown > black |
| FROEHDE | Instant yellow/green > dark blue > black |
| EHRLICH | No color change |
| HOFMANN | No color change |
| SIMON’S | No blue color change |
| ROBADOPE | Slow pink |
| SCOTT | No full color change |
| ZIMMERMANN |
MDA reagent test results color chart
MDA test did not react as expected? Watch out!
All test results are available in our instructions and the TestDrugs app.
STEP ONE How to identify MDA?
What test kit do I need to test MDA?
| SAMPLE | RECOMMENDED MDA TEST KITS |
| MDA |
|
Reagents can be divided into primary and secondary. Primary reagents react with the expected substance while secondary produce a vibrant color change with an adulterant. Here are a few key notes:
- Marquis – primary test for most powders, secondary test for cocaine, ketamine, mephedrone and blotters
- Mecke – primary test for most powders, secondary test for cocaine, ketamine, mephedrone; short shelf life
- Robadope – main test for for primary amines, e.g. MDA, amphetamine or PMA
- Simon’s – main test for for secondary amines, e.g. MDMA, meth, mephedrone, methylone or PMMA
Marquis reagent is the main test for MDA and produces an instant black color change with MDA, MDMA, but also MDEA and a few other compounds. Mecke reagent is the follow up primary test to confirm the presence of MDMA/MDA. Robadope and Simon’s are useful both to confirm MDA or MDMA as well as detect primary amines (2C-x, amphetamine, MDA, PMA) in MDMA, or secondary amines (meth, MDMA, PMMA, mephedrone derrivatives) in MDA.
MDxx and 2C-B reagent test results using the Marquis reagent
How to use the MDA test kit?
- Check test results with Marquis test kit: if testing MDxx (MDMA, MDA or MDEA) the color of the reaction should be instant black. It can look brownish or purple for a few seconds before turning fully black.
- MDxx turn all of the following reagent tests black: Marquis, Mecke, Mandelin, Liebermann and Froehde.
- To confirm MDA follow up with the Robadope reagent.
- To confirm MDMA follow up with the Simon’s test.
- Test as small sample as possible and only try more if you are not getting a conclusive result.
STEP TWO How to test MDA purity?
According to the EMCDDA and drugsdata.org the most common MDA adulterants are cathinones, methamphetamine and caffeine. “Ecstasy” purity is on the rise but that is also a concern, because currently the avarage MDMA pill contains 2-3 doses, multiplying the risks.
Try secondary reagents. Secondary reagents produce a vibrant color change with an adulterant, but not with the expected substance.
Secondary reagent tests for MDxx:
- Simon’s reagent can confirm secondary amines (MDMA, meth, x-MMC, or PMMA)
- Robadope reagent can confirm primary amines (MDA, 2C-x, amphetamine or PMA)
- Zimmermann reagent can detect secondary (4-MMC derrivatives) and tertiary (a-PVP analogs) cathinones
How to detect amphetamine or MDA in MDMA with Marquis reagent, Simon's and Robadope
Next choose a purity testing kit. It enables you to separate sample into different substances and estimate quantity, however still requires reagent tests to identify detected substances. To discover all adulterants and quantity pair reagents with a TLC (Thin Layer Chromatography) Purity Test Kit. Purity tests alone don’t identify substances and are best paired with 1-2 reagent tests.
TLC Purity Tests:
- Qualitative: One spot indicates a pure substance. TLC test works by separating substances present in a sample in order to reagent test them individually. You can also use an already confirmed sample for reference – if both compounds show up at the same height on the TLC “card” that indicates they are the same substance.
- Semi-quantitative: TLC also helps estimate quantity (potency). The bigger the size of the detected spot, the bigger the amount of measured substance. Note that different substances need different calibrated rulers.
TLC Purity Test potency scale
- To estimate MDA purity (number of ingredients and their concentration) use the Substance Purity Test Kit.
- To precisly estimate MDMA purity use the MDMA Purity Test Kit, which in addition includes a calibrated plastic ruler.
For full TLC (Thin Layer Chromatography) instructions read our guide how to test drugs purity.
FENTANYL How to identify fentanyl?
What is fentanyl?
Fentanyl is an extremely potent and dangerous synthetic opioid, often mixed in street drugs and deadly.
BEFORE using a fentanyl test strip
- It’s RECOMMENDED to test each and every dose. Because of extreme potency (microgram range) fentanyl is never evenly mixed in. One part of a baggie can be fentanyl free, and another lethal.
How to test fentanyl powder / pills / spice with a fentanyl test strip?
- Dissolve 100-200 mg in at least 125 ml of water (half a cup).
- Grab a test strip by blue end and insert it into the liquid, no higher than the blue line.
- Wait until liquid starts visibly moving up the test strip (up to 15 seconds).
- Put the test strip away on a flat dry surface and read the result in 2 minutes.
- Check test strip results: a single line confirms the presence of fentanyl, while two lines (even faint) rule it out.
Fentanyl test did not react as indicated? Watch out!
All test results are available in our instructions and the TestDrugs app.
Looking where to buy a test kit for fentanyl?
- Reagent test kits – just cents per test, good for pure fentanyl
- Fentanyl test strips – tests for fentanyl and fentanyl analogs
- Substance Purity Test Kit – required to use in combination with reagent tests
- …or check out the guide “What is the best test kit?” and choose from all available Chemical Safety kits.
FAQ Frequently Asked Questions
Looking where to buy a kit for testing MDA?
- Single-use MDA test kit – 3,9 EUR per test, FREE SHIPPING
- Multiple-use MDA test kit – just cents per test, set of 4 reagents
- Fentanyl test strips – learn how to test any sample for fentanyl
- MDA Purity Test Kit – required to use in combination with reagent tests
- …or check out the guide “What is the best test kit?” and choose from all available Chemical Safety kits.
List of all Chemical Safety guides how to test drugs:
How to test 2C-B?
How to test MDA?
How to test MDMA?
How to test LSD?
How to test DMT?
How to test FENTANTYL?
How to test COCAINE?
How to test KETAMINE?
How to test MEPHEDRONE?
How to test AMPHETAMINE?
How to test METHAMPHETAMINE?
How to test HEROIN (opioids)?
How to test THC and CBD?
and how to detect cuts or other adulterants:
How to detect LEVAMISOLE?
How to detect PMA/PMMA?
How to detect FENTANYL?
How to detect NBOMes?
HARM REDUCTION
Due to abundance of MDMA on the market, the average purity is rapidly increasing. Remember to not mix with alcohol or other drugs, not overheat and take breaks. Regular use can be particularly dangerous. Learn more at erowid.org.