Sample preparation optimization for assay of active pharmaceutical ingredients in a transdermal drug delivery system using experimental designs

A simple but very effective sample preparation method is discussed for a matrix or drug-in-adhesive type of transdermal drug delivery system (TDS). The method is a one-step extraction using a methanol/water solvent system. Because of the unique design and physical property of the delivery system, special considerations were taken in selection of sample solvent, sample container and extraction enhancement device. The main focus of the article is on method optimization using experimental designs. A Plackett-Burman design was used to screen multiple method factors including extraction solvent strength, extraction solvent volume, shaking speed of a reciprocating shaker, and shaking time. Later, two of the factors were studied in more details using a 4 × 5 general factorial design. From the experimental results, the so-called main effects plots and interaction plots were generated using a statistical software. The plots are helpful in choosing the method conditions.