Abstract
Mixed reverse micellar (MRM) systems of sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT) and non-ionic surfactants (TWEEN 85) in iso-octane were used for the extraction of amoxicillin from the aqueous phase. The process parameters such as concentration of surfactants, addition non-ionic surfactant, feed pH and salt concentration during forward extraction are varied to maximize the solubilisation of amoxicillin in an organic phase. A small addition of TWEEN 85 into AOT solution was found to enhance the degree of amoxicillin extraction and the solubilisation was 120 times higher compared with both single system and the amount of surfactant consumed was also very low in order to enhance the solubilisation of the amoxicillin in mixed reverse micelle which led to the economical factor in term of the surfactant usage.