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Extraction and phase transfer using droplet microfluidics

Liquid-liquid extraction is a method used to separate an analyte from a complex mixture; with this method compounds separate based on their relative solubility in different immiscible liquid phases .To overcome some of the disadvantages associated with common bench top methods such as the shake-flask method ,microfluidic liquid-liquid extraction methods have been employed. Microfluidic droplet-based systems have demonstrated the capability to manipulate discrete volumes of fluids in immiscible phases with low Reynolds numbers and laminar flow regimes. .Microscale methods reduce time required, reduce sample and reagent volume, and allow for automation and integration .In some studies, the performance of droplet-based microfluidic extraction compares closely with the shake-flask method. .A study which compared the shake-flask and microfluidic liquid-Liquid extrication methods for 26 compounds and found a close correlation between the values obtained (R2= 0.994). .

It has also been demonstrated that microfluidic liquid-liquid extraction devices can be integrated with other instruments for detection of the extracted analytes For example, microfluidic extraction could be used to extract an analyte initially in an aqueous phase such as cocaine in saliva then interfaced with on-chip IR spectroscopy for detection Microfluidic liquid-liquid extraction has shown to be advantageous in numerous applications such as pharmacokinetic drug studies where only small cell numbers are needed,  and in additional studies where smaller reagent volumes are required.