Sensitive determination of Gabapentin in plasma sample using dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction coupled with ion mobility spectrometry

Gabapentin (GBP) is an anticonvulsant agent and its determination using a fast and simple method is challenging. In this research, a novel sensitive, and economical method for the fast determination of GBP in biological samples was developed. This method benefits from the advantages of ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) as a fast detection and separation system and dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) for the preconcentration/extraction of GBP. In the developed method (DLLME-IMS), Ag nanoparticles serve as modifiers. Moreover, the quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) analysis was employed to investigate the interaction mechanism between GBP and Ag nanoparticles. Also, a delay time after the injection of the sample was applied to improve the method sensitivity. Under the optimum condition, the developed method showed a linear response over the concentration range of 0.3–12 μg mL⁻¹ and a detection limit of 0.12 μg mL⁻¹. Eventually, DLLME-IMS was successfully employed in plasma sample, and was validated against the HPLC method with UV detection as a reference method. The developed method will open up a new avenue for the development of effective, rapid, and simple analytical methods.