Liquid membrane-based microextraction for drug analysis

This chapter explores new developments and applications of microextraction of drugs, based on supported liquid membranes. The discussed methods encompass two- and three-phase hollow fiber liquid-phase microextraction (HF-LPME), 96-well LPME (also known as parallel artificial liquid membrane extraction or PALME), and electromembrane extraction (EME). These techniques represent downscaled extraction systems, specifically designed to minimize organic solvent consumption. They align with green sample preparation practices, positioning them as crucial components in the future of sustainable analytical methodologies. Moreover, their compact size and technical adaptability make them readily integrable into microchip systems. The fundamentals of microextraction with supported liquid membranes are discussed, emphasizing the feasibility of performing these extractions in either partition-based LPME systems, or in EME systems controlled by an external electrical field. Additionally, the chapter discusses selected examples of recent conceptual advancements and novel applications for drug analysis, drawing examples from contemporary literature.