Fast electromembrane extraction of illicit drugs from meconium

• First application of electromembrane extraction for direct analysis of meconium • Extraction of amphetamines and synthetic cathinones in a single step • Green and safe alternative to traditional extraction techniques • Sensitive detection from only 50 mg of sample with minimal matrix effects • High-throughput format compatible with clinical and forensic toxicology screening Neonatal meconium is a widely accepted biological matrix for assessing prenatal exposure to drugs of abuse. Its complex and heterogeneous nature, along with typically low target analyte concentrations, possess significant analytical challenges. This study reports the first application of electromembrane extraction for processing meconium, providing a protocol for isolating amphetamines and synthetic cathinones from only 50 mg of sample. Extraction parameters, including the supported liquid membrane composition, donor solution composition and pH, voltage, and shaking intensity, were systematically optimized. Electromembrane extraction followed by UHPLC-MS/MS assay was validated, achieving low limits of quantification (2 ng·g −1 ), along with consistent recoveries (55–65%) and high reproducibility (RSD < 5%) for all analytes. The method was successfully applied to a real neonatal meconium sample, in which amphetamine and methamphetamine were found. Several analytical performance parameters were compared with those of the previously published LC-MS based assays. The environmental impact was assessed using the Analytical Greenness Metric for Sample Preparation, showing that electromembrane extraction substantially reduces organic solvent and plastic consumption, operator exposure and preparation time, compared with conventional methods such as solid-phase extraction and salting-out assisted liquid–liquid extraction. Overall, electromembrane extraction provides a robust, high-throughput, and sustainable strategy for neonatal toxicology screening, with potential for broader adoption in clinical and forensic laboratories.