Application of graphitic sorbent for online microextraction of drugs in human plasma samples

In the present work a new sorbent based on graphitized carbon (CarbonX® COA) was evaluated in microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS) for extraction of lidocaine and ropivacaine from human plasma samples. The new graphitic sorbent showed high recoveries of lidocaine and ropivacaine compared to C18 sorbent. In the present study the G-MEPS (syringe packed with graphitic sorbent) was connect online with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). In order to obtain a fast and reliable method different factors affecting MEPS performance were investigated. The extraction efficiency of the graphitic sorbent was compared with silica-based sorbents used in MEPS. The G-MEPS was also evaluated for reuse (50-100 times). The recoveries of lidocaine and ropivacaine from plasma samples were 79% and 82%; respectively. The method was validated according to FDA (Food and Drug Administration) guideline for bioanalytical method validation. Linearity was assessed in the range 5-2000 nmol/L, with coefficient of determination r2 > 0,995 (n = 3) for lidocaine and r2 > 0.997 (n = 3) for ropivacaine. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 5 nmol/L and the limit of detection (LOD) was 1 nmol/L for studied analytes in plasma samples. For both analytes considered in this study the accuracy values in plasma samples were ranged from 86% to 113%. The Inter-day precisions, expressed as relative standard deviation (%RSD), at three different concentrations (QC-samples) ranged from 8% to 9% for lidocaine, and from 4% to 11% for ropivacaine.