Extraction and fluorometric determination of Acyclovir drug in blood samples using modified membrane-based sample preparation technique

Abstract

Acyclovir, an antiviral drug used in treating viral infections, cancers, and hepatitis B, requires precise quantification for effective monitoring. Electro-Membrane Extraction (EME) is a green, efficient sample preparation technique that combines electrophoresis and liquid-liquid extraction to isolate charged analytes with minimal solvent use [1]. The use of modified membranes, such as agarose gel reinforced with polyacrylamide, enhances stability, selectivity, and chemical resistance [2]. This study optimized EME for acyclovir extraction from blood samples, using a 1:4 agarose-to-polyacrylamide ratio, 0.3% urea concentration, pH values of 9 and 2 for donor and acceptor phases, respectively, a 20 V applied voltage, and 20-minute extraction time. Under these conditions, the method exhibited a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 7.8%, a linear range of 5–400 ppm, and detection limits (LOD) of 0.9 ppm and quantification (LOQ) 2.3 ppm. The method was validated and compared to other EME techniques [2 ,3], demonstrating high sensitivity, precision, and accuracy, making it suitable for acyclovir analysis in complex matrices.