A new microfluidic-chip device for selective and simultaneous extraction of drugs with various properties

• Published in: New journal of chemistry 2019-06, Vol.43 (24), p.9689-9695
• Main Authors: Ali Khan, Wajid, Yamini, Yadollah, Baharfar, Mahroo, Balal Arain, Muhammad
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Correlation coefficients; Drugs; Electric contacts; Electrodes; Flow velocity; Hydrophobicity; Liquid membrane extraction; Liquid membranes; Microchannels; Microfluidics; Polymethyl methacrylate; Propylene; Stainless steels; Urine
• ISSN: 1144-0546; 1369-9261
• DOI: 10.1039/c9nj01104h

In the present study, a newly designed microfluidic-chip device was used for the selective and simultaneous electromembrane extraction (EME) of drugs with different properties. For this purpose, atenolol (ATE), betaxolol (BET), and propranolol (PRO) were selected as model analytes with different properties, such as hydrophobicity. The utilized microfluidic system consisted of three polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) plates patterned with "M" shaped micro-channels. The middle plate was cut with the same "M" pattern providing two interfaces to be in contact with the sample solution with two poly propylene membranes impregnated by different organic solvents. On the two other plates, similar microfluidic channels were carved, which were used as compartments for two acceptor phases. Two stainless steel electrodes which were embedded in the acceptor phase channels and another electrode embedded in the dedicated channel for donor phase flow were responsible for providing the electrical field across both supported liquid membranes (SLMs). The extraction was followed by HPLC/UV analysis. All the effective parameters on the efficiency of extraction, including composition of the SLMs, pH of the donor and acceptor phases, applied voltage, and sample solution flow rate, were considered and optimized. Two different SLMs were needed for extraction of different analytes, comprising nitrophenyl octyl ether (NPOE) containing 10% di-(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate and 5% tris-(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate for ATE and sole NPOE for PRO and BET. Under the optimal conditions, the calibration curves were linear with correlation coefficients higher than 0.9903 in both urine and plasma samples for ATE, PRO, and BET. Additionally, the obtained limits of detection were less than 10 μg L −1 . Finally, the method was used for determination of target drugs in real urine samples, and the resulting relative recoveries ranged from 96% to 109%. In the present study, a newly designed microfluidic-chip device was used for the selective and simultaneous electromembrane extraction (EME) of drugs with different properties.