Abstract
Principle component analysis (PCA) and a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were employed in the
study of factors affecting extractability of benzimidazole anthelmintics using supported liquid
membrane (SLM) in liver, kidney, milk and urine at four concentration levels. The SLM extraction
process was monitored by liquid chromatography - mass spectrometer (LC-MS). The results showed
that the extractability of benzimidazoles is dependent on both the concentration levels and the chemical
properties of compounds. Based on chemical properties, extraction of the compounds from the liver
matrix showed no significant difference (p = 0.05) for the following pairs; albendazole and oxibendazole,
thiabendazole and mebendazole, oxibendazole and fenbendazole, and oxibendazole and mebendazole.
At some of the concentration levels, mainly between 1000 and 100, 100 and 10, and 10 and 1 μg/Kg,
there was no significant difference. It was also found that, there was significant difference (at p = 0.05)
in the extractability in milk between oxibendazole and albendazole, and also oxibendazole and
fenbendazole. For milk also, the concentration range from 10 to 100 μg/L, showed no significant
difference (p = 0.05). Urine matrix on the other hand, showed significant difference in the recoveries at
all concentration levels.