Comparison of supercritical fluid and Soxhlet extractions for the isolation of nitro compounds from soils

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) with CO(2), a clean and rapid alternative to conventional Soxhlet extraction, was investigated for the extraction of nitro compounds from soil samples. Quantitative extraction by SFE was accomplished at a pressure of 25 MPa and an extraction temperature of 60 degrees C, for 30 min in dynamic mode and using acetonitrile as modifier, and the results were comparable with those obtained by acetonitrile Soxhlet extraction (3 h) for all soil samples. Extracts from these two procedures were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Quantitative reproducibility for SFE extracts was acceptable (RSD 2-10%), and the quantity of solvent was reduced from 160 mL for Soxhlet extraction to 5 mL in the case of SFE.     

Supercritical fluid extraction of polychlorinated biphenyls and pesticides from soil. Comparison with other extraction methods.

A comparison is made of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) with two other techniques widely used for the extraction of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides in soil. Extraction conditions for the SFE of PCBs and pesticides were first determined. An experimental approach was set up to determine the influence of different extraction parameters such as pressure, extraction time, static and dynamic extraction, restrictor type and collection solvent for off-line SFE. The use of carbon dioxide at 50 degrees C and 20 MPa, 10 min static followed by 20 min dynamic extraction with collection in iso-octane were been found to be the optimum conditions. Two types of soil, with a low and high content of organic carbon, respectively, spiked with 16 PCBs and organochlorine pesticides with a wide range of volatility and polarity at a level of 5 ng/g dry matter, were used as test materials. Conventional solvent extraction gives a good extraction yield for soil with a low content of organic carbon, but for peat soil the recoveries decrease dramatically to 30% for DDE, DDT and PCB 138 and 153. The recoveries with Soxhlet extraction are good, but an extra clean-up step before analysis is necessary. SFE gives good extraction yields for PCBs and organochlorine pesticides, varying between 85 and 105% with a reproducibility of 5% for each component for both types of soil. SFE is a fast, clean and reproducible method for the extraction of PCBs and organochlorine pesticides from these two soil matrices.     

Development of supercritical fluid extraction with a solid-phase trapping for fast estimation of toxic load of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins-dibenzofurans in sawmill soil

A method consisting of automated supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) with simultaneous cleanup by a solid-phase trap was developed for fast analysis of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in soil. SFE was optimised to replace conventional liquid-based methods in routine analyses of PCDD/PCDFs in sawmill soil contaminated by a chlorophenol formulation. PCDD/PCDFs were quantitatively extracted in 60 min using CO2 at 400 atm and 100 degrees C without a modifier. A trap containing a small amount of activated carbon mixed with Celite efficiently collected PCDD/PCDFs after SFE. After SFE co-extracted impurities were eluted out from the trap with 4 ml of hexane and PCDD/PCDFs were eluted with 10 ml of toluene. The concentrations and TCDD-equivalent of PCDD/PCDFs corresponded to the results of traditional solvent extraction method (Soxhlet) in six sawmill soils tested. The performance of the trap was maintained over a long period of time (nearly 100 extractions).     

Extraction of polycyclic aromatic nitrogen heterocycles from spiked soil samples

Extraction recovery of 10 selected polycyclic aromatic nitrogen heterocycles (PANHs), quinoline, 2-methylquinoline, 6-methylquinoline, 8-methylquinoline, acridine, benzo[h]quinoline, phenantridine, indole, 2-methylindole, and carbazole from spiked soil samples was tested. Four different extraction techniques, pressurized solvent extraction (PSE), supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), Soxhlet warm extraction (SOXW) and standard Soxhlet extraction (SOX), were applied and compared. The RP-HPLC technique with a silica-based octadecyl stationary phase was used for recovery determination of individual PANHs. Supercritical fluid extraction has been found to be the most effective method for the extraction of selected PANHs from soil. PSE and SOXW methods offered similar results with slightly lower extraction recoveries compared with SFE. On the contrary, SOX is a time-consuming method with a low recovery of target analytes and is not suitable for the extraction of PANHs from soils.     

Efficiency of Different Methods and Solvents for the Extraction of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons from Soils

The efficiencies of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), accelerated solvent extraction (ASE), Soxhlet, and ultrasonic extraction in the analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soils were evaluated. Solvents with different polarity were used to extract the PAHs from two soils, one with high and one with low contamination level. ASE showed good results with all solvents almost independent of the solvent polarity and the best results with acetone-toluene (1 : 1). Ultrasonic extraction with acetone-toluene for the uncontaminated soil and acetone-ethanolamine for the highly contaminated also showed good recoveries. The time-consuming Soxhlet extraction with pentane or dichloromethane was less effective. The PAH recovery from SFE was related to the soil matrix or the contamination level. The best extraction conditions (CO 2 /10% pentane) are successful for the soil with a low contamination level and a high humic acid content whereas the extractions of the highly contaminated soil gave poor results irrespective of the solvent used.     

On-line coupling of supercritical CO2 extraction with reversed-phase liquid chromatography for the quantitative analysis of analytes in aqueous matrices

The first report of on-line coupled supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) with reversed-phase liquid chromatography for the quantitative analysis of analytes in aqueous matrices is described. Two commercial systems (e.g. SFE and HPLC) were connected via a single six-port injection valve. By using water to eliminate residual decompressed CO2 gas in the solid-phase extraction trap, quantitative extraction and transfer were achieved for the target analytes (progesterone, phenanthrene, and pyrene) spiked in water, as well as in real samples (urine and environmental water). During each extraction, no restrictor plugging was realized. Extraction temperature and pressure were optimized. Different amounts of salt were added to the aqueous matrix to enhance ionic strength and thus extraction efficiency. Methanol and 2-propanol were used as CO2 modifiers. Compared with dynamically mixing modifier with the CO2 extraction fluid, pre-spiking the same amount of modifier in the extraction vessel enhanced the recovery approximately 30% for progesterone, phenanthrene, and pyrene due to a "co-extraction effect".     

Supercritical fluid extraction of aflatoxin B(1) from soil

This research describes the development of a supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) method to recover aflatoxin B(1) from fortified soil. The effects of temperature, pressure, modifier (identity and percentage), and extraction type were assessed. Using the optimized SFE conditions, the mean recovery from air dried soil was 72%. The variables associated with changes in recovery of aflatoxin were co-solvents, static extraction, and temperature. Acetonitrile-2% acetic acid, used both in-cell and on-line, provided the most efficient recovery. The results indicate that desorption from the soil was the limiting factor in recovery and that the static phase was more important than the dynamic.     

Supercritical fluid extraction of atrazine and its metabolites from soil

Soxhlet (methanol) and SFE extraction with carbon dioxide in the presence of modifiers at different temperatures (100–200°C) for the extraction of atrazine and its main metabolites from a soil sample were compared. The most effective extraction conditions for both atrazine and its metabolites (i.e. deethylatrazine and deisopropylatrazine) were Co₂ modified with 20% molar methanol-trifluoroacetic acid (MeOH-TFA) (TFA 0.65M in MeOH) at 100°C, leading to an extraction efficiency comparable with that of Soxhlet extraction with MeOH for atrazine and ca. 20% higher for its main metabolites. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of SFE was lower than that obtained by Soxhlet extraction, probably because of less interference in the cGC-NPD determination. All the other modifiers evaluated (acetone, triethylamine, and methanol) were less effective than MeOH-TFA for the extraction of atrazine and its metabolites from a soil sample, even at high molar concentrations (20%) and use of higher extraction temperatures (200°C). These results indicate the importance of matrix effects and the need of the selection of an appropriate modifier in order to obtain quantitative extractions by SFE.     

Fat content for nutritional labeling by supercritical fluid extraction and an on-line lipase catalyzed reaction

A method using sequential supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and enzymatic transesterification has been developed for the rapid determination of total nutritional fat content in meat samples. SFE conditions of 12.16 MPa and 50°C were utilized to extract lipid species from the sample matrix. The enzymatic transesterification of the lipids by methanol was catalyzed by an immobilized lipase isolated from Candida antarctica. Conversion of the triglycerides to fatty acid methyl esters was monitored by supercritical fluid chromatography, while the fatty acid content of the extract was determined by capillary gas chromatography (GC). Total fat, saturated fat and monounsaturated fat contents were calculated from the GC data and compared to values from traditional extraction and lipid determination methods. Both off-line SFE and automated SFE followed by on-line GC analysis using two different instruments were utilized in this study. The enzymatic-based SFE method gave comparable results to the organic solvent extraction-based method followed by conventional BF₃-catalyzed esterification.     

Recovery of diesel fuel from soil by supercritical fluid extraction–gas chromatography

An analytical method based on CO₂ supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) followed by gas chromatography (GC) was evaluated, compared to Soxhlet extraction, and found to determine accurately and precisely diesel fuel contamination of standard soil samples at a total petroleum hydrocarbon level of 100 μg/g in soil. While both extraction methods have the same 3% relative repeatability standard deviation for determination of total hydrocarbon contamination at this level, SFE requires much less time, uses less organic solvent and provides better recovery of the more volatile n-C₁₀ to n-C₁₂ hydrocarbons.     

Supercritical fluid extraction of vapor-deposited pyrene from carbonaceous coal stack ash

The efficiencies of extraction of vapor-deposited pyrene from a high-carbon coal stack ash by Soxhlet extraction with methanol, ultrasonic extraction with toluene, acid pretreatment and subsequent ultrasonic extraction with toluene, batch extraction with toluene, and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) are compared. SFE using CO(2) or isobutane yielded extraction recoveries virtually identical with those obtained using ultrasonic or Soxhlet extraction processes. Collection of the SFE extract was performed by expansion into a solvent or onto the head of a gas chromatography (GC) column. No loss of extracted pyrene was observed upon collection of methanol-modified CO(2) SFE by expansion into methanol. Also, no loss of pure CO(2) SFE extract was observed upon collection on the head of a GC column. However, use of a methanol or toluene modifier for CO(2) SFE directly coupled to GC effected complete loss of extracted pyrene.     

SFE of PAHs from soils with a high carbon content and analyte collection via combined liquid/solid trapping

Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are recovered from a soil with a high carbon content (ca. 50%) with supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) as well as with conventional Soxhlet extraction. The influence of temperature and modifier volume on SFE efficiency and the effect of a combined liquid/solid trap for analyte collection are investigated in this study. Such traps, which make analyte collection and clean-up possible in one step, are compared with conventional analyte collection in pure organic solvents. A comparison between reproducibility and efficiency of SFE and Soxhlet extraction is presented.     

Comparisons of soxhlet extraction, pressurized liquid extraction, supercritical fluid extraction and subcritical water extraction for environmental solids: recovery, selectivity and effects on sample matrix

Extractions of a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-contaminated soil from a former manufactured gas plant site were performed with a Soxhlet apparatus (18 h), by pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) (50 min at 100 degrees C), supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) (1 h at 150 degrees C with pure CO2), and subcritical water (1 h at 250 degrees C, or 30 min at 300 degrees C). Although minor differences in recoveries for some PAHs resulted from the different methods, quantitative agreement between all of the methods was generally good. However, the extract quality differed greatly. The organic solvent extracts (Soxhlet and PLE) were much darker, while the extracts from subcritical water (collected in toluene) were orange, and the extracts from SFE (collected in CH2Cl2) were light yellow. The organic solvent extracts also yielded more artifact peaks in the gas chromatography (GC)-mass spectrometry and GC-flame ionization detection chromatograms, especially compared to supercritical CO2. Based on elemental analysis (carbon and nitrogen) of the soil residues after each extraction, subcritical water, PLE, and Soxhlet extraction had poor selectivity for PAHs versus bulk soil organic matter (approximately 1/4 to 1/3 of the bulk soil organic matter was extracted along with the PAHs), while SFE with pure CO2 removed only 8% of the bulk organic matrix. Selectivities for different compound classes also vary with extraction method. Extraction of urban air particulate matter with organic solvents yields very high concentrations of n- and branched alkanes (approximately C18 to C30) from diesel exhaust as well as lower levels of PAHs, and no selectivity between the bulk alkanes and PAHs is obtained during organic solvent extraction. Some moderate selectivity with supercritical CO2 can be achieved by first extracting the bulk alkanes at mild conditions, followed by stronger conditions to extract the remaining PAHs, i.e., the least polar organics are the easiest organics to extract with pure CO2. In direct contrast, subcritical water prefers the more polar analytes, i.e., PAHs were efficiently extracted from urban air particulates at 250 degrees C, with little or no extraction of the alkanes. Finally, recent work has demonstrated that many pollutant molecules become "sequestered" as they age for decades in the environment (i.e., more tightly bound to soil particles and less available to organisms or transport). Therefore, it may be more important for an extraction method to only recover pollutant molecules that are environmentally-relevant, rather than the conventional attempts to extract all pollutant molecules regardless of how tightly bound they are to the soil or sediment matrix. Initial work comparing SFE extraction behavior using mild to strong conditions with bioremediation behavior of PAHs shows great promise to develop extraction methodology to measure environmentally-relevant concentrations of pollutants in addition to their total concentrations.     

A two-step supercritical fluid extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from roadside soil samples

A two-step procedure for the supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from soil samples was developed. The procedure consists of a static supercritical fluid treatment in a closed extraction cell at a high temperature (T=250 or 340degreesC for 20 min) and an SFE with a solvent trapping. During the static phase, the sample is exposed to a supercritical organic solvent (methanol, toluene, dichloromethane, ACN, acetone, and hexane). The solvent penetrates particles of the matrix to substitute strongly bonded molecules and dissolves the analytes in the supercritical phase. At ambient temperature, supercritical fluids became liquid and lost their solvation abilities. Most of the analytes condense on the surface of the particles or on the extraction cell walls without forming strong bonds or penetrating deep into the matrix. Thus, the pretreatment liberates the analytes and they behave similar to those in freshly spiked samples. The common SFE with toluene-modified CO2 as an extraction fluid follows the static phase. With the use of the most suitable extraction phases (toluene, ACN), the extraction efficiency of the combined procedure is much higher (approximately100%). The results of the combined procedure are compared to the SFE procedure of the same untreated sample (difference less than 5%) and to the Soxhlet extraction. The extracts were analyzed using a GC with the flame ionization detection.     

On-line coupled supercritical fluid extraction and chromatography for the determination of thiolcarbamate herbicides in soil matrix

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) was on-line coupled with supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) for the determination of thiolcarbamate herbicides in soil matrix. Inert ODS-silica gel packings were used as a trap column for an interface between SFE and SFC and as an analytical column for the satisfactory separation of extracts. Thiolcarbamate herbicides could be extracted satisfactorily from the soil matrix, which had different characteristics. The results indicated that the proposed system was useful for the rapid determination of thiolcarbamate herbicides in soil matrices.     

A Unified Sample Preparation System for Extraction of Various Analyte/Matrix Combinations

A supercritical fluid extraction/enhanced solvent extraction system (SFE/ESE) was used to remove polar and non-polar analytes from various matrices. Extraction of environmental pollutants from soil, additives from low density polyethylene, sulfa drugs from animal tissue, and drug from tablet was performed using both SFE and ESE. Results showed that a single instrumental system can be used to perform both ESE with organic solvents and SFE with carbon dioxide-based fluids. Each method has its own unique advantages and applications. The ability to carry out both solvent extraction and supercritical fluid extraction with one system has obvious economical advantages.     

Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Organochlorine Pesticides from Soil

Abstract

A supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) method was developed for the extraction of 21 organochlorine (OC) pesticides from soil using dichloromethane as cosolvent and magnesium sulfate as drying agent. Average recoveries of spiked OCs from six different soils generally ranged from 70 to 95%, with an average replicate precision of ± 13%. For the extraction of two soils containing “native” OCs, the SFE method gave generally similar or higher concentrations compared to Soxhlet extraction. The precision of replicate analyses of native OCs using SFE and Soxhlet extraction was ± 0.009 and ± 0.007 ug/g, with 24 and 13 degrees of freedom respectively.     

土壤中烃类污染物的超临界流体萃取

采用超临界流体萃取技术提取环境样品中的烃类污染物，以色谱－质谱联用仪测定了萃取物的化学成分，考察了影响萃取效率的主要因素。比传统的索氏萃取能更有效地从复杂环境样品中萃取分析物。     

Dynamics of chelation-supercritical fluid extraction from wood fibers

The dynamics of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of the metal content of wood fibers chelated with lithium bis(trifluoroethyl) dithiocarbamate (FDDC) by supercritical (SF) CO2 was investigated experimentally by monitoring the spectra of the eluted metal complex as a function of time. The characteristic shape of the dynamic SFE curve was determined mainly by the flow conditions in the extraction vessel, the mass transfer resistance in the SF phase, and the solubility. High extraction yields of metal content were obtained in two-stage extraction including static (batch) and dynamic (semi-batch) stages. Increasing the length of the static stage increased the rate of dynamic elution of metal complex until it approached the dynamics of fluid displacement for a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR). In such cases, increasing the flow rate had no effect on the dynamic extraction curve when it was plotted using dimensionless time. Efficient chelation-SFE from wood fibers was obtained at a pressure of 20.3 MPa and with a static time of 30 min.     

Supercritical fluid extraction of nylon 6,6 oligomers and their characterization via liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry.

This research extends previous studies regarding the application of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) for the analysis of oligomers from nylon 6,6 fibers. The effects of CO2 pressure, extraction temperature, CO2-modifier percentage, static extraction time and dynamic extraction time on the SFE efficiency of nylon 6,6 oligomers were examined. Results from the SFE methods for oligomer extractions were compared to results from conventional solvent extraction. The extracted oligomers were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with coupled on-line atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry and HPLC fractionation coupled with off-line liquid secondary ion mass spectrometry.