Standard Operating Procedure for Liquid-Liquid Extraction (LLE) Technique in BA/BE Bioanalytical Studies
| Department | BA-BE Studies |
|---|---|
| SOP No. | SOP/BA-BE/158/2025 |
| Supersedes | SOP/BA-BE/158/2022 |
| Page No. | Page 1 of 10 |
| Issue Date | 17/04/2025 |
| Effective Date | 20/04/2025 |
| Review Date | 17/04/2026 |
1. Purpose
To define the procedure for conducting liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) to isolate analytes from biological matrices like plasma or serum for subsequent analysis in BA/BE studies.
2. Scope
This SOP applies to all analysts performing LLE on clinical biological samples as part of validated bioanalytical methods for pharmacokinetic and bioequivalence studies.
3. Responsibilities
- Analyst: Executes LLE steps, ensures sample integrity, and maintains detailed
records.
Reviewer: Verifies LLE performance and documents compliance with method requirements.
Laboratory Supervisor: Ensures availability of required solvents, consumables, and equipment.
4. Accountability
The Head of the Bioanalytical Laboratory is accountable for ensuring validated LLE methods are followed, equipment is calibrated, and safety precautions are maintained during volatile solvent handling.
5. Procedure
5.1 Preparation Before Extraction
- Thaw plasma samples as per SOP/BA-BE/155/2025.
- Prepare required organic solvents as per validated method (e.g., ethyl acetate, methyl tert-butyl ether).
- Label tubes clearly with Sample IDs, batch number, and date.
- Ensure fume hood is operational and PPE is worn during volatile solvent handling.
5.2 Sample Spiking
- Add internal standard (IS) to thawed plasma samples using calibrated pipette.
- Vortex for 10–15 seconds to ensure mixing.
5.3 Addition of Organic Solvent
- Add 3 to 5 times the volume of organic solvent to each sample (e.g., 3 mL solvent to 1 mL plasma).
- Seal or cap the tubes properly.
5.4 Mixing and Extraction
- Shake tubes on a mechanical shaker for 10–15 minutes at defined speed.
- Ensure complete mixing to promote phase separation and analyte extraction.
5.5 Phase Separation
- Centrifuge samples at 4000–5000 rpm for 5–10 minutes to separate aqueous and organic layers.
- Carefully collect the upper (organic) layer into new pre-labeled tubes using glass Pasteur pipettes or auto-pipettors.
- Ensure no carryover of aqueous phase or precipitates.
5.6 Drying and Reconstitution
- Evaporate the collected organic phase under nitrogen stream at 35–40°C until completely dry.
- Reconstitute residue in a defined volume of mobile phase or reconstitution buffer (e.g., 200 µL).
- Vortex to ensure complete solubilization and transfer to autosampler vials.
5.7 Safety and Waste Disposal
- Handle all solvents inside fume hoods and dispose of waste in labeled organic solvent containers.
- Follow institutional EHS procedures for hazardous waste management.
5.8 Documentation
- Record extraction details in Annexure-1: LLE Batch Record.
- Include date, sample ID, volumes used, analyst name, and any deviations observed.
6. Abbreviations
- BA/BE: Bioavailability/Bioequivalence
- LLE: Liquid-Liquid Extraction
- IS: Internal Standard
- PPE: Personal Protective Equipment
7. Documents
- LLE Batch Record – Annexure-1
- Solvent Preparation Log – Annexure-2
- Evaporation and Reconstitution Log – Annexure-3
8. References
- ICH M10 – Bioanalytical Method Validation
- FDA/EMA Bioanalytical Method Guidelines
- Internal Method Validation Reports
9. SOP Version
Version: 2.0
10. Approval Section
| Prepared By | Checked By | Approved By | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Signature | |||
| Date | |||
| Name | |||
| Designation | |||
| Department |
11. Annexures
Annexure-1: LLE Batch Record
| Date | Sample ID | Solvent Used | Volume (mL) | Reconstitution Volume | Analyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17/04/2025 | PLM-2023 | Ethyl Acetate | 3.0 | 200 µL | Rajesh Kumar |
Annexure-2: Solvent Preparation Log
| Solvent | Purity | Lot No. | Prepared By | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ethyl Acetate | HPLC Grade | EA0425 | Sunita Reddy | 16/04/2025 |
Annexure-3: Evaporation and Reconstitution Log
| Sample ID | Evap. Temp | Reconst. Solvent | Volume | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLM-2023 | 37°C | Mobile Phase | 200 µL | Clear |
Revision History:
| Revision Date | Revision No. | Details | Reason | Approved By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/01/2022 | 1.0 | Initial Release | New SOP | QA Head |
| 17/04/2025 | 2.0 | Integrated new annexures and solvent safety guidelines | Compliance Update | QA Head |