Comprehensive evaluation of solvent in dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction for determination of itraconazole and hydroxy itraconazole by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

Abstract

This paper aims to propose a multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) method to evaluate and select solvent in a dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) approach. The DLLME is applied to the determination of itraconazole and hydroxy itraconazole in plasma by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD). To achieve this goal, extraction efficiency, chromatographic resolution, and greenness of solvent were identified as the three indicators in MCDA. Then, Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) was employed to evaluate and select the solvent. Weight assignment was set up by integrating the subjective scoring from experienced analysts and the objective approach using Shannon’s entropy weight method. Under chosen parameters (extraction solvent: 1-decanol 40 μL, dispersing solvent: methanol 400 μL), the method was validated satisfactorily and applied successfully to the analysis of itraconazole and hydroxy itraconazole in real human plasma samples. The results show that the comprehensive weighted TOPSIS analysis is a promising tool to choose experimental conditions toward an integrative goal. It can provide analysts with a decision making reference to maintain a balance between the analytical performance and eco-friendliness.

Keywords

• Technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS)
• Entropy
• Multicriteria decision analysis
• Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction
• Green analytical chemistry