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Centre for Innovation & Consultation

Smart Rotating Membrane Microextraction Kit for Antibiotic Analysis

Assoc. Prof. Ts. Chm. Dr. Noorfatimah Yahaya

Ts. Chm. Dr. Nur Nadhirah Mohamad Zain

The invention, SMART ROTATING MEMBRANE MICROEXTRACTION (SRMM) relates to analytical chemistry, specifically relates to sample preparation for analysis. In order to perform any analysis of analytes in any matrices, the sample must be prepared in such a form it can be easily analyzed by chromatography, electrophoretic, or spectroscopy instrumentation. Compared with the prior art, the rotating membrane microextraction device effectively overcomes the significant shortcomings in the conventional membrane microextraction including (a) low diffusion of analyte into sorbent (static membrane) leads to long extraction time and (b) difficulty in efficiently immobilizing the membrane, leading to poor analytes recovery. Molecularly imprinted material is used as an adsorption material, and the amount of sorbent can be increased to enhance the detection sensitivity. The rotating membrane microextraction device configuration simplifies the extraction and collection procedure and allows stirring of the membrane at high velocity, thus facilitating the analyte mass transfer rate. The superior advantage of this assembly over conventional extraction procedures is that high extraction efficiency can be achieved without sacrificing overall analysis time. This is due to the larger surface area to extraction-phase volume ratio and dynamic rotation of the membrane.

Problem Statement

  • Due to trace levels of antibiotics in complex matrices, sample preparation has become an inevitable procedure.
  • Liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) and solid phase extraction (SPE) are presently the most frequently used method for the sample preparation of antibiotics. However, most of these conventional procedures are tedious, time-consuming, multistage operations, consuming large amounts of toxic organic solvents and poor selectivity.
  • Drawbacks of conventional membrane microextraction include: (a) lack of selectivity using conventional sorbents (b) low sorbent loading results and poor extraction sensitivity; (c) low diffusion of analyte into sorbent (static membrane) leads to long extraction time and (d) difficult to efficiently immobilize the membrane, leading to poor analytes recovery.

Novelty and Inventiveness

  • Offers an ‘environmentally friendly’ extraction system with its microscale format and biodegradable agarose membrane.
  • Avoid multi-step operation and offer simplicity in operation using a smart rotating membrane in the extraction.
  • Providing accurate, selective, and sensitive sample preparation procedures in complex matrices.
  • Time-effective extraction method as multi-analysis is applicable.
  • Possibility in large-scale production.
  • Involved unsophisticated devices (magnetic stirrer and sonication), which generally be found in a typical analytical laboratory.
  • Relatively low cost due to its microscale format (generate less waste).

Applicability and Benefits

  • Smart rotating membrane microextraction for monitoring antibiotic residues in food products.
  • Efficient and fast sample preparation strategy for trace compounds determination in complex matrices.
  • Minimum amount of sorbent (10 mg) and solvent (650 µL) usage.
  • Preconcentration of up to 227 preconcentration factors and LODs of sulfonamide antibiotics ranged from 0.44-2.23 ppb.

Research Achievement

  • Financial support by FRGS (RM97,000) and PRGS (RM121,143).
  • 2 ISI, Q1 journals: Food Chemistry and Talanta.
  • Talent development: 1 MSc student.

Commercialization Potential And Industrial Partner

  • This prototype will be the first green membrane extraction technique developed in Malaysia for antibiotic detection. The customer segments will include service laboratories, food and beverage companies, Malaysian agencies, universities, and academics. The revenue stream will be from the sales of the products, consultation, training, and product/technology enhancement. At least 10% of the ROI is targeted for this product's commercial value (to produce a net profit of at least RM 50,000 by the third year of operation).
  • IT TECH Research (M) Sdn Bhd.

Intellectual Property Status

  • 1 Copyright: CRLY2021P02566 Smart Rotating Membrane Microextraction.
  • 3 Patent: Novel, Inventiveness, and Industrial Applicability (Rotating Membrane Microextraction Device).

Status of Invention

Technology Readiness Level 6 (in Relevant Environment).

Impact of Innovation

  • Society: Continuous monitoring of antibiotic residues can prevent the development of resistance and food chain contaminations.
  • Environment:  Generate less waste (due to microscale format) and reduce pollution.
  • Government:  Reduces the risk of antibiotic resistance and saves costs for patients in hospitals.
  • Industry: Provides green solutions to promote new business opportunities in chemical industries.
  • Academia: Provides a platform for academia to discover new knowledge, and disseminate knowledge to the community, making impactful outcomes.
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