Solid-phase microextraction with capillary gas-liquid chromatography and nitrogen-phosphorus selective detection for the assay of antidepressant drugs in human plasma

Magnetic framework composite as sorbent for magnetic solid phase extraction coupled with high performance liquid chromatography for simultaneous extraction and determination of tricyclic antidepressants

In this study, magnetic framework composites (MFCs) (Fe₃O₄@TMU-10) microspheres were successfully fabricated and applied as an effective sorbent for preconcentration of the two model tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) amitriptyline and imipramine from biological samples. MFCs were fabricated by a step-by-step assembly, novel, simple and efficient strategy. The shell thickness of the Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) could also be easily controlled by tuning the number of assembly cycles. By coupling magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) with high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detector (HPLC-UV), a simple, reliable, fast, sensitive and cost-effective method for simultaneous determination of TCAs was developed. Under optimal conditions, the preconcentration factors and relative recoveries of the studied compounds were obtained in the range of 43-50 and 90.5-99.0% respectively. The calibration curves were obtained in the range of 5-800 μg L^-1 with reasonable linearity (R² > 0.9904) and the limits of detection (LODs) ranged between 2 and 4 μg L^-1 (based on S/N = 3). The relative standard deviations of intra- and inter-day tests ranged from 3.1 to 4.6% and from 4.3 to 5.2%, respectively. The results demonstrate that Fe₃O₄@TMU-10 core-shell magnetic microspheres combine advantages of MOFs and magnetic nanoparticles, and are the promising sorbents for rapid and efficient extraction of target analytes from urine and plasma complex biological samples.

Sensitive determination of psychotropic drugs in urine samples using continuous liquid-phase microextraction with an extraction solvent lighter than water

A novel extraction vessel was employed, for the first time, in continuous liquid-phase microextraction (CLPME) with an extraction solvent lighter than water for the extraction of psychotropic drugs from urine samples.

Self-assembled benzyl mercaptan monolayer as a coating in electromembrane surrounded solid-phase microextraction of antihistamines in urine and plasma samples

Electromembrane extraction based on a monolayer of benzyl mercaptan on a copper wire was applied to extract naphazoline and antazoline from biological samples.

Solid phase microextraction and related techniques for drugs in biological samples

In drug discovery and development, the quantification of drugs in biological samples is an important task for the determination of the physiological performance of the investigated drugs. After sampling, the next step in the analytical process is sample preparation. Because of the low concentration levels of drug in plasma and the variety of the metabolites, the selected extraction technique should be virtually exhaustive. Recent developments of sample handling techniques are directed, from one side, toward automatization and online coupling of sample preparation units. The primary objective of this review is to present the recent developments in microextraction sample preparation methods for analysis of drugs in biological fluids. Microextraction techniques allow for less consumption of solvent, reagents, and packing materials, and small sample volumes can be used. In this review the use of solid phase microextraction (SPME), microextraction in packed sorbent (MEPS), and stir-bar sorbtive extraction (SBSE) in drug analysis will be discussed. In addition, the use of new sorbents such as monoliths and molecularly imprinted polymers will be presented.

Electrospray ionization-ion mobility spectrometry as a detection system for three-phase hollow fiber microextraction technique and simultaneous determination of trimipramine and desipramine in urine and plasma samples

A novel method based on three-phase hollow fiber microextraction technique (HF-LPME) coupled with electrospray ionization-ion mobility spectrometry (ESI-IMS) was developed for the simultaneous determination of two antidepressant drugs (trimipramine and desipramine) in urine and plasma samples. The effects of various parameters such as type of organic solvent, composition of donor and acceptor phase, stirring rate, salt addition, extraction time, and temperature were investigated. Under the optimized conditions, the relative standard deviation was in the range of 5-6%, and the method quantitation limit (MQL) of utilizing HF-LPME/ESI-IMS was 5 μg/L for both drugs. The relative recoveries obtained by the proposed method from urine and plasma samples were in the range 94% to 97% for trimipramine and 92% to 96% for desipramine. Finally, the feasibility of the proposed method was successfully confirmed by extraction and determination of trace amounts of trimipramine and desipramine in biological samples without any significant matrix effect.

Bio-sample preparation and analytical methods for the determination of tricyclic antidepressants

An extended and comprehensive review is presented herein, focusing on sample preparation (pretreatment and extraction) and different analytical methods applied for the quantification of tricyclic antidepressants. These procedures are relevant tools in clinical and forensic toxicology. It is revealed that SPE, for sample preparation, and HPLC, using reversed-phase alkyl (C18) or cyanopropyl-bonded silica columns for the analytes separation, are effective and versatile methods for assay of tricyclic antidepressants. These methods enable achievable detection limits using UV/diode array detection, readily available in most laboratories, down to 1–8 ng ml-1, and using electron capture detection better than 1 ng ml-1, which is lower than that for nitrogen–phosphorus detector. MS interfaced with electrospray ionization offered similar sensitivity, whilst sonic spray ionization provided detection down to 0.03 ng ml-1. A brief discussion on chemical structures, metabolism and mechanism of action of this group of drugs is also presented.

Comparison of electron and chemical ionization modes by validation of a quantitative gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric assay of new generation antidepressants and their active metabolites in plasma

A gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric method (GC-MS) for the simultaneous determination of the 'new' antidepressants (mirtazapine, viloxazine, venlafaxine, trazodone, citalopram, mianserin, reboxetine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, sertraline, maprotiline, melitracen, paroxetine) and their active metabolites (desmethylmirtazapine, O-desmethylvenlafaxine, m-chlorophenylpiperazine, desmethylcitalopram, didesmethylcitalopram, desmethylmianserin, desmethylfluoxetine, desmethylsertraline, desmethylmaprotiline) in plasma using different ionization modes was developed and validated. Sample preparation consisted of a strong cation exchange mechanism and derivatisation with heptafluorobutyrylimidazole. The GC separation was performed in 24.8 min. Identification and quantification were based on selected ion monitoring in electron (EI) and chemical ionization (CI) modes. Calibration by linear and quadratic regression for electron and chemical ionization, respectively, utilized deuterated internal standards and a weighing factor 1/x(2). Limits of quantitation were established between 5 and 12.5 ng/ml in EI and positive ionization CI (PICI), and 1 and 6.25 ng/ml in negative ionization CI (NICI). During validation stability, sensitivity, precision, accuracy, recovery, and selectivity were evaluated for each ionization mode and were demonstrated to be acceptable for most compounds. While it is clear that not all compounds can be quantitated either due to chromatographic (trazodone) or derivatisation problems (O-desmethylvenlafaxine), this method can quantitate most new antidepressants (ADs) in the therapeutic range using EI. PICI and NICI lead to higher selectivity. Moreover, NICI is of interest for small sample volumes and high sensitivity requirements. This paper draws the attention to the pros and cons of the different ionization modes in the GC-MS analysis of these antidepressants in plasma.

Hollow fiber-based liquid phase microextraction combined with high-performance liquid chromatography for extraction and determination of some antidepressant drugs in biological fluids

The applicability of hollow fiber-based liquid phase microextraction (HF-LPME) was evaluated for the extraction and preconcentration of three antidepressant drugs (amitriptyline, imipramine and sertraline) prior to their determination by HPLC-UV. The target drugs were extracted from 11.0 mL of aqueous solution with pH 12.0 (source phase) into an organic extracting solvent (n-dodecane) impregnated in the pores of a hollow fiber and finally back extracted into 24 microL of aqueous solution located inside the lumen of the hollow fiber and adjusted to pH 2.1 using 0.1M of H3PO4 (receiving phase). The extraction was performed due to pH gradient between the inside and outside of the hollow fiber membrane. In order to obtain high extraction efficiency, the parameters affecting the HF-LPME including pH of the source and receiving phases, the type of organic phase, ionic strength and volume of the source phase, stirring rate and extraction time were studied and optimized. Under the optimized conditions, enrichment factors up to 300 were achieved and the relative standard deviation (R.S.D.%) of the method was in the range of 2-12%. The calibration curves were obtained in the range of 5-500 microg L(-1) with reasonable linearity (R2>0.998) and the limits of detection (LODs) ranged between 0.5 and 0.7 microg L(-1) (based on S/N=3). Finally, the applicability of the proposed method was evaluated by extraction and determination of the drugs in urine, plasma and tap water samples. The results indicated that hollow fiber microextraction method has excellent clean-up and high-preconcentration factor and can be served as a simple and sensitive method for monitoring of antidepressant drugs in the biological samples.

Determination of fentanyl in human plasma by head-space solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A head-space solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) method coupled to GC-MS was developed to extract fentanyl from human plasma. The protein binding was reduced by acidification and, eventually, the sample was deproteinized with trichloroacetic acid. The parameters influencing adsorption (extraction time, temperature, pH and salt addition) and desorption (desorption time and temperature) of the analyte on the fibre were investigated and validated for method development. The developed method proved to be rapid, simple, easy and inexpensive and offers high sensitivity and reproducibility. Linear range was obtained from 0.1 ng/ml to 2 microg/ml. The limit of detection was 0.03 ng/ml while an inter-day precision of less than 5% (n=15) could be achieved. The method has been applied for the determination of fentanyl in plasma samples after application of 50 microg/h Duragesic fentanyl patch.

Optimization of solid-phase microextraction procedures for the determination of tricyclic antidepressants and anticonvulsants in plasma samples by liquid chromatography

Simple, sensitive, and reproducible off-line solid-phase microextraction and liquid chromatography (SPME/LC) methods are described for the determination of seven anticonvulsants and tricyclic antidepressants in human plasma. Factorial design and simplex methodology were applied in the optimization of the SPME procedure for tricyclic antidepressants analyses. Important factors in the SPME efficiency are discussed, such as the fiber coatings (both lab-made and commercial), extraction time, pH, ionic strength, influence of plasma proteins, and desorption conditions. The development of the lab-made fiber coatings, namely, octadecylsilane, aminosilane, and polyurethane, are further described and applied to anticonvulsants analyses. The investigated plasmatic range for the evaluated anticonvulsants, using CW-TPR fiber, were the following: phenylethylmalonamide (3.00-40.0 microg mL(-1)), phenobarbital (5.00-40.0 microg mL(-1)), primidone (3.00-40.0 microg mL(-1)), carbamazepine and carbamazepine-epoxide (2.00-24.0 microg mL(-1)), phenytoin (2.00-40.0 microg mL(-1)), and lamotrigine (0.50-12.0 microg mL(-1)). The antidepressants' linear plasmatic concentration ranged from 75.0 to 500 ng mL(-1) for imipramine, amitriptyline, and desipramine, and from 50.0 to 500 ng mL(-1) for nortriptyline, being in all cases, the limit of quantification represented by the lowest value. The precision (interassays) for all investigated drugs in plasma sample spiked with different concentrations of each analyte and submitted to the described procedures were lower than 15%. The off-line SPME/LC methodologies developed allow anticonvulsants and antidepressants analyses from therapeutic to toxic levels for therapeutic drug monitoring.

Optimization of microwave-assisted extraction followed by solid phase micro extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry detection for the assay of some semi volatile organic pollutants in sebum

Methodology using MAE/SPME/GC-MS is being pursued for the analysis of organic pollutants in sebum. The microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) of standards of semi volatile organic pollutants from sebum was optimized. All compounds were extracted from sebum with recoveries analyzed by GC/MS ranging from 94% to 100% under the optimum MAE conditions: 10mL acetone-hexane (2:1), 60 degrees C, and 10 min microwave heating. To improve the detection limits a SPME procedure was optimized. Linearity ranged from 0.70 ppb to 25 ppb. R.S.D. were in the range of 1-23% for the SPME step. Preliminary real samples were analyzed and a range of compounds was detected. The optimized MAE/SPME/GC-MS methodology promises to be useful for different applications.

Extractive spectrophotometric methods for the determination of doxepin hydrochloride in pharmaceutical preparations using titanium (IV) and iron (III) thiocyanate complexes

Two simple, precise, and accurate extractive spectrophotometric methods have been developed for the determination of doxepin hydrochloride in pharmaceutical preparations. The methods are based on the formation of ion association complexes of doxepin with titanium (IV) and iron (III) thiocyanate complexes in acidic medium. The produced compounds are insoluble in water but well soluble in some organic solvents. They are extracted with mixtures of butyl alcohol-chloroform (2:3, v/v) and (1:4, v/v) and measured spectrophotometrically at 400 and 490 nm for DOX-Ti-SCN and DOX-Fe(III)-SCN methods, respectively. Beer's law was obeyed in the concentration ranges of 5-50 and 3-30 microg/ml with molar absorptivity of 7.12 x 10(3) and 1.36 x 10(4) l mol(-1) cm(-1) for DOX-Ti-SCN and DOX-Fe-SCN systems, respectively. The proposed methods have been successfully applied for the analysis of the drug in dosage forms. No interference was observed from common pharmaceutical adjuvants. The methods have been also used for the determination of the drug in the presence of its degradation product. Statistical comparison of the obtained results with the reference methods shows excellent agreement and indicates no significant difference in accuracy and precision.

New trend in sample preparation: on-line microextraction in packed syringe for liquid and gas chromatography applications. I. Determination of local anaesthetics in human plasma samples using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A new technique for sample preparation on-line with LC and GC-MS assays was developed. Microextraction in a packed syringe (MEPS) is a new miniaturised, solid-phase extraction technique that can be connected on-line to GC or LC without any modifications. In MEPS approximately 1mg of the solid packing material is inserted into a syringe (100-250 microl) as a plug. Sample preparation takes place on the packed bed. The bed can be coated to provide selective and suitable sampling conditions. The new method is very promising. It is very easy to use, fully automated, of low cost and rapid in comparison with previously used methods. This paper presents the development and validation of a method for microextraction in packed syringe MEPS on-line with GC-MS. Local anaesthetics in plasma samples were used as model substances. The method was validated and the standard curves were evaluated by the means of quadratic regression and weighted by inverse of the concentration: 1/x for the calibration range 5-2000 nM. The applied polymer could be used more than 100 times before the syringe was discarded. The extraction recovery was between 60 and 90%. The results showed close correlation coefficients (R>0.99) for all analytes in the calibration range studied. The accuracy of MEPS-GC-MS was between 99 and 115% and the inter-day precision (n=3 days), expressed as the relative standard deviation (R.S.D.%), was 3-10%.

Determination of amitraz in canine plasma by solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography with thermionic specific detection

A simple and rapid analytical method is presented for the determination of amitraz in canine plasma samples using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and gas chromatography with thermionic specific detection (GC-TSD). The best conditions for the SPME procedure were: direct extraction on a polydimethlysiloxane (PDMS) fiber with 100-microm film thickness; 400 &microl of sample plasma matrix modified with 4 ml sodium borate solution (0.01 mol l(-1), pH 6.5); extraction temperature 70 degrees C, with stirring at 2500 rpm for 45 min. The method was linear between 20 and 400 ng ml(-1) with regression coefficients corresponding to 0.998 and coefficient of the variation of the points of the calibration curve lower than 15%. The lowest limit of quantification (LOQ) for amitraz in plasma was 20 ng ml(-1). This LOQ was determined as the lowest concentration on the calibration curve in which the coefficient of variation was lower than 15%. The proposed method was applied to determine amitraz concentrations in canine plasma to look for toxicity after treatment with amitraz in a dipping bath.

The use of the new SPE methods for isolation of some tricyclic antidepressant drugs from human serum

Solid-phase extraction (SPE) methods were applied to isolation of amitriptyline (AMI), imipramine (IMI) and chlorprothixene (CPX) from blood human serum. SPE was carried out using the octadecyl (C(18)) column for isolation of AMI and cyclohexyl (CH) columns in the case of IMI and CPX. The spiked serum samples were used to examine the recoveries of these drugs from C(18) and CH sorbent materials. The volume of serum sample was 500 microl. The recoveries of SPE method using CH cartridge were 100.3+/-1.63% (n=7), 99.7+/-2.3% (n=9) for IMI and CPX, respectively. The recovery of AMI from C(18) cartridge was 99.5+/-1.5% (n=8). Finally, after SPE sample clean-up step the antidepressant drugs were assayed by the own extractive-spectrophotometric methods.

A SPME-GC procedure for monitoring peppermint flavor in tablets

A method was developed using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and gas chromatography to monitor the peppermint flavor loss in a taste-masked tablet formulation. This was accomplished by headspace sampling of two major components of peppermint: menthone and menthol. It was found that the excipients from the tablet produced an important matrix effect and that standard addition analysis was necessary for improved accuracy of the determination. The method was shown to be specific and precise. Furthermore, the method produced acceptable results with adequate quantitation limits to determine peppermint flavors in taste-masked tablets. The optimized extraction procedure was successfully used to monitor the stability of peppermint flavor in an oral solid formulation. The accelerated stability studies of the tablet showed that the menthone and menthol was lost in an exponential manner and levels off after several days of heat exposure.

Determination of thymol in human plasma by automated headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatographic analysis

A reliable and sensitive method was developed for determination of thymol in human plasma by automated headspace solid-phase microextraction (SPME). After enzymatic cleavage of thymol sulfate thymol was extracted by a 65 microm polydimethylsiloxane-divinylbenzene crimped fiber (Supelco) after addition of sodium chloride and phosphoric acid (85%). Desorption of the fiber was performed in the injection port of a gas chromatograph at 220 degrees C (HP 5890; 50 m x 0.2 mm I.D., 0.2 microm HP Innowax capillary column; flame ionization detection). Fibers were used repeatedly up to 40 analysis. The recovery was 5% after 35 min of extraction. The calibration curve was linear in the range of 8.1-203.5 ng ml(-1) with a limit of quantitation (LOQ) of 8.1 ng ml(-1). The within-day and between-day precision and accuracy were < or = 20% at the LOQ and <15% at higher concentrations according to international guidelines for validation of bioanalytical methods. After administration of a thymol-containing herbal extract only thymol sulfate, no free thymol, could be detected in human plasma, thus analysis of thymol was after enzymatic cleavage of thymol sulfate. It is concluded that the newly developed automated method can be used in clinical trials on bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of thymol-containing herbal medicinal products.

Reduction of extraction times in liquid-phase microextraction

Recently, we introduced a simple and inexpensive disposable device for liquid-phase microextraction (LPME) based on porous polypropylene hollow fibres. In the present paper, extraction times were significantly reduced by an increase in the surface of the hollow fibres. The model compounds methamphetamine and citalopram, were extracted from 2.5 ml of urine, plasma, and whole blood after dilution with water and alkalisation with 125 microl of 2 M NaOH though a porous polypropylene hollow fibre impregnated with hexyl ether and into an aqueous acceptor phase consisting of 0.1 M HCl. Two commercially available hollow fibres, which differed in surface area, wall thickness and internal diameter, were compared. An increase in the contact area of the hollow fibre with the sample solution by a factor of approximately two resulted in reduction in equilibrium times by approximately the same factor. Thus, the model compounds were extracted to equilibrium within 15 min from both urine and plasma, and within 30 min from whole blood. For the first time LPME was utilised to extract drugs from whole blood, and the extracts were comparable with plasma both with regard to sample clean-up and extraction recoveries. Extraction recoveries for methamphetamine and citalopram varied from 60 to 100% using the two fibres and the different matrices.

Microextraction of drugs

This review will attempt to provide an overview as well as a theoretical and practical understanding of the use of microextraction technologies for drug analysis. The majority of the published reports to date focus on the use of fibre solid-phase microextraction and so the review is significantly focused on this technology. Other areas of microextraction such as single drop and solvent film microextraction are also described. Where there are insufficient examples in the literature to illustrate important concepts, examples of non-drug analyses are presented. The review is intended for readers new to the field of microextraction or its use in drug extraction, but also provides an overview of the most recent advances in the field which may be of interest to more experienced users. Particular emphasis is placed on the effect various sample matrices have on extraction characteristics.