Application of electromembrane extraction followed by corona discharge ion mobility spectrometry a novel strategy analysis as a fast and sensitive technique for determination of narcotic drugs in urine samples

Electromembrane extraction (EME) is a novel sample preparation technique in pharmaceutical, chemical, clinical and environmental analysis. This technique uses electromigration across artificial liquid membranes for selective extraction of analytes and sample enrichment from complex matrices [1]. Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) has proved to be one of the best methods for the detection of trace level of drugs due to its low detection limit, fast response, simplicity, and portability [2,3]. In this work aims to introduce a new analytical strategy based on EME method coupled with corona discharge ion mobility spectrometry (CD-IMS) for determination of narcotic drugs (methamphetamine, tramadol and methadone) in urine samples. This combination would provide a selective and sensitive determination. In order to achieve the best extraction efficiency, optimization of the variables affecting these methods was carried out [4]. Optimal extractions were accomplished with 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether as the supported liquid membrane, with 150 V as the driving force, and with pH 4 in donor and pH 1 in acceptor solutions. Equilibrium extraction conditions were obtained after 15 min of operation with the whole assembly agitated at 1000 rpm. Under the optimized conditions, the proposed technique provided good linearity (R2 0.9902), repeatability (RSD 4.6), low limits of detection (6.06 ng mL-1), excellent preconcentration factor (PF = 171 - 262) and high recoveries (64 - 98%). Finally, developed method was applied to quantification of narcotic drugs in urine samples.