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FRINATEK-Fri prosj.st. mat.,naturv.,tek

Development of stable, selective, and efficient artificial liquid membranes for electromembrane extraction (EME)

Alternative title: Utvikling av stabile, selektive og effektive kunstige væskemembraner til bruk i elektromembran ekstraksjon

Awarded: NOK 6.6 mill.

Prior to the identification and quantification of chemical substances in samples such as blood, urine, waste water, food, and beverages, extraction has to be performed. During extraction, the compounds of interest (target compounds) are isolated from other substances in the sample and transferred to a separate solution. This solution is then compatible with the instrument used for the final measurements, and quantification can be performed without interferences from other compounds in the sample. This project has focused on electromembrane extraction (EME), which is a new principle for extraction, and attention has been directed towards development of this principle for extraction of drugs in human blood. Identification and quantification of drugs in human blood samples is performed extensively during medical treatment and research, during development of new drugs in the pharmaceutical industry, and in connection with poisoning, forensic cases, and doping in sports. EME is a new and highly interesting alternative to existing extraction techniques, and was originally proposed by our research group. In EME, the target compounds are extracted across an artificial liquid membrane and into a micro-litre volume of acceptor solution under the influence of an electrical field. Most drugs are either bases or acids, and are ionized under certain pH conditions. Thus, they migrate in an electrical field. EME can be characterized as electrophoresis across an artificial liquid membrane. In this project, we have developed liquid membranes for fat soluble, water soluble, basic, and acidic drugs. The new liquid membranes are compatible with human blood samples, and are efficient for extraction of different drugs. A large number of organic solvents have been tested as liquid membrane, and additives in the liquid membrane have been tested. This work has demonstrated that the chemical composition of the liquid membrane is highly important, and that drugs with different base/acid properties and different water solubility require liquid membranes with different chemical properties. Liquid membranes developed in the project can be used for future applications of EME. In addition, theoretical models have been developed, which explain transfer of charged drug molecules across a liquid membrane under the influence of an electrical field. This knowledge is highly important in order to give EME a scientific anchor. The project has also developed several liquid membranes for EME of peptides in blood. The results from the project have been published in 20 research articles in peer-reviewed international journals. EME is a separation principle with a potential. The current project has increased the international interest and recognition of EME, which is highly important for future implementation. One person has fulfilled a PhD degree as part the project, and another two persons have obtained their postdoctoral training as part of the project. EME is under commercial development by a Norwegian company, and data from the project are highly important in this process.

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This project will focus on the development of totally new, stable, selective, and efficient artificial liquid membranes (MEMBRANE) for use in electromembrane extraction (EME). EME is a general extraction or separation technique invented by the applicants from University of Oslo in 2006 and has a broad application potential. Up to date, EME has been applied within analytical and bioanalytical chemistry for isolation and clean-up of ionic substances from complex samples, prior to chromatographic, electropho retic, or mass spectrometric analysis. EME is based on electrokinetic transport across a very thin artificial liquid membrane (MEMBRANE) sustained in a porous polymeric material, with an electrical potential difference across the MEMBRANE as the driving f orce. Considering the electrokinetic transport, the project will also focus on the fundamental understanding of how the chemical properties of the MEMBRANE affect the extraction process. Both the development of totally new, stable, selective, and efficien t artificial liquid membranes, and the fundamental understanding of how the chemical properties of the MEMBRANE affect the extraction process, are crucial for the future development of EME as an extraction technique for use in analytical chemistry, medica l diagnostics, medical research, pharmaceutical research, biochemical research, and related application areas. Also, both types of information are important for the commercial development of EME, which is in progress in cooperation with the Norwegian comp any G&T Septech AS. The project will consist of both fundamental research and applied research.

Funding scheme:

FRINATEK-Fri prosj.st. mat.,naturv.,tek