Spectrophotometric determination of lamotrigine in plasma samples: Ultrasound-assisted emulsification-microextraction based on a hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent followed by back-extraction

In this study, sensitive detection of lamotrigine in human plasma samples was realized at a low cost approach through ultrasound-assisted emulsification-microextraction based on using a hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent followed by back-extraction (USAEME-DES-BE) method. After extraction, detection and quantification of lamotrigine were done by spectrophotometry in the UV region. The hydrophobicity of the deep eutectic solvent not only eliminates the need of the third solvent as an emulsifying agent but also helps to retrieve lamotrigine from the DES by back-extraction to another aqueous phase. The back extraction process allowed the drug to be measured in the UV region. Central composite design in combination with a desirability function approach was applied for the optimization of the USAEME-DES-BE procedure. Essential factors in the method efficiency were discussed, such as back-extraction solution, time of back-extraction, the ratio of DES components, pH, the volume of DES, salt concentration, and sonication time. The method exhibited a wide dynamic linear range from 0.5 to 10 mu g mL(-1) and a limit of detection of 0.15 mu g mL(-1). The established method was successfully applied to determine lamotrigine in human plasma samples with satisfactory relative recoveries. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

In this study, sensitive detection of lamotrigine in human plasma samples was achieved through a low-cost ultrasound-assisted emulsification-microextraction method. The method utilized a hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent for back-extraction, allowing for quantification of the drug by spectrophotometry in the UV region. Optimization was done using central composite design and a desirability function approach, resulting in a wide dynamic linear range and low detection limit.