Reagents regeneration flow injection analysis (RRFIA) for spectrophotometric determination of methamphetamine coupled with solvent extraction

Methamphetamine (MPA), being a stimulant drug, reacts with tetrabromophenolphthalein ethyl ester (TBPEH) to form a red-violet ion associate, TBPEHMPA, in 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) at pH 9. The maximum absorption wavelength was at 570 nm. After measuring, yellow TBPEH with DCE could be regenerated by mixing with the buffer solution at pH 3. The regenerated TBPEH/DCE could be reused as an ion association reagent and extracting solvent. In addition, the reagent regeneration could be performed by the on-line flow injection system and the cyclic flow injection analysis system was demonstrated for the determination of MPA without consumption of ion association reagent and organic solvent. The calibration curve was linear in the range of 0.5–3.5 × 10−5 M with good repeatability. The sample throughput was 20 h−1.