Evaluation of conditions for quantitative recovery of a drug from animal feed using supercritical fluid CO₂ extraction

Abstract

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) continues to be explored as a feasible alternative to traditional Soxhlet and other types of extraction. In many cases SFE is cleaner, faster, and less expensive than the traditional types of extractions. This investigation has focused on the evaluation of Supercritical CO₂ extraction as a quantitative method for recovery of a hypolipidemic drug (tradename xenalipin) from an animal feed matrix.

Initial emphasis of this study focused on the recovery of xenalipin from a the animal feed matrix employing a liquid solvent trap. By studying the effect of time of extraction versus recovery of drug, the liquid trap was shown to be inadequate.

Further studies implemented the extraction of xenalipin from a filter paper matrix and the use of solid phase traps. This method of inquiry was use to evaluate the degree of recovery as related to the parameters of CO₂ density, extraction time, and flow rates of CO₂.

After achieving quantitative extraction of xenalipin from filter these parameters were transferred to the animal feed matrix. The animal feed matrix was prepared using three different methods. Each matrix was evaluated for homogeneity of sample and ability to achieve quantitative extraction.