EXTRACTION OF SELECTED DRUGS FROM SERUM USING MICROWAVE IRRADIATION

Microwave irradiation is used as an alternative heating method for ext raction over more conventional hot plate methods. We describe a fast, efficient method for the determination of selected drugs in human bloo d/serum using microwave extraction. The microwave extraction of organi c substances requires special instrumentation and the results have bee n compared with the results from classical liquid/liquid extraction. T he present microwave extractions were performed in an 'atmospheric pre ssure' system. Before irradiation with microwaves, an appropriate solv ent mixture was added to the buffered specimen. Lidocaine, methadone, diazepam, nordiazepam, propoxyphene and norpropoxyphene were tested as model substances. The quantitation was' performed by GC/NPD. The proc edure has been applied successfully to a number of forensic cases. The use of microwaves decreases the time of extraction and the solvent co nsumption.