Application of tandem dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction coupled to HPLC as an efficient method for preconcentration and determination of Citalopram and Sertraline in real sampeles

Sertraline (SER) and citalopram (CIT) belong to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class, which are clinically effective as antidepressant. In consequence, SSRIs have the potential for long-term aquatic effects and then, they are now being considered as emerging environmental pollutants[1-2]. A simple and efficient approach is introduced for the improvement of the clean-up and applicability of the dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) method in complicated matrices. For this purpose, two dispersive microextraction methods were combined and the tandem dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (TDLLME) method was provided. Then by utilizing the air-agitated liquid–liquid microextraction (AALLME) method, these analytes were simply back-extracted into aqueous acceptor phase. To obtain the best extraction efficiency, the effect of different parameters such as the concentration of donor and acceptor phase, type of extraction solvent and number of suction were investigated. TDLLME-HPLC-UV provided a good linearity in the range of 0.1–7 mgL−1 and low limits of detection (5.919×10-3mgL−1 for Citalopram and 8.28×10-4 mgL−1for Serteraline). The proposed method was successfully used for the simultaneous preconcentration and determination of the studied drugs in the wastewater and human plasma samples. The accuracy and precision of method was studied by analyzing of synthetic standard samples[3].