Solvent-bar microextraction—Using a silica monolith as the extractant phase holder

In this paper, a novel liquid-phase microextraction (LPME) approach, based on solvent-bar microextraction (SBME), was developed in which a silica monolith was used as the extractant solvent holder. Owing to the porous nature of the monolith, the extractant solvent could be easily held in the material; when the monolith containing the extractant solvent was exposed to the sample solution, analytes could directly diffuse from the sample solution into the extractant solvent. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were used as model analytes to evaluate the procedure. Through the investigation of the effect of agitation speed, extraction time, length of the monolith (that determined the volume of organic extractant solvent) and salt concentration on extraction efficiency, the following optimal extraction conditions were obtained: stirring at 1000 rpm for 30 min without salt addition using a 4-mm silica monolith. The limits of detection ranged from 3.9 pg/mL to 28.8 pg/mL, with relative standard deviations of between 8.16% and 10.5% on the same silica monolith. The linearity was 0.05–200 ng/mL for fluoranthene and pyrene, and 0.5–200 ng/mL for chrysene and benzo[b]fluoranthene, with acceptable correlation coefficient. When this method was applied for the spiked real river sample, the relative recoveries ranged from 87.1% to 100.7% for the tested PAHs. This method was also compared to polymeric hollow fiber-based SBME and hollow fiber-protected LPME and found to provide better results. Additionally, compared with the polymeric hollow fiber, the silica monolith possesses good resistance to extreme conditions, such as high temperature and pH, and is more compatible with various organic solvents. This is the first report of an application of a monolithic material for LPME, and as a solvent holder for SBME. It extends the scope of applications of such materials, to analytical chemistry, specifically to sample preparation.     

Analysis of organochlorine pesticides in wine by solvent bar microextraction coupled with gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry detection

A solvent bar microextraction (SBME) technique combined with gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS), for the determination of selected organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in wine samples, is described. In this work the OCPs were extracted and dissolved in a 2-microL aliquot of organic extraction solvent (n-tetradecane) confined within a 1.7-cm length of hollow fiber. Both ends of the hollow fiber (solvent bar) were sealed, and it was placed in an aqueous sample solution for extraction. The effects of solvent selection, sample agitation, extraction time, extraction temperature, and salt concentration on the SBME performance were optimized. The influence of aqueous sample/organic solvent phase ratio was further investigated in detail. High enrichments (1900-7100-fold) could be obtained at an aqueous sample/organic solvent volume ratio of 20 mL/2 microL in this study. Good extraction reproducibility was obtained with relative standard deviation (RSD) values below 12.6%. Comparisons of sensitivity and precision between SBME and dynamic hollow-fiber liquid-phase microextraction were also investigated.     

Determination of ultraviolet filters in environmental water samples by temperature-controlled ionic liquid dispersive liquid-phase microextraction

In the present study, a rapid, highly efficient and environmentally friendly sample preparation method named temperature-controlled ionic liquid dispersive liquid-phase microextraction (TC-IL-DLPME), followed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was developed for the extraction, preconcentration and determination of four benzophenone-type ultraviolet (UV) filters (viz. benzophenone (BP), 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (BP-3), ethylhexyl salicylate (EHS) and homosalate (HMS)) from water samples. An ultra-hydrophobic ionic liquid (IL) 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate ([HMIM][FAP]), was used as the extraction solvent in TC-IL-DLPME. Temperature served two functions here, the promotion of the dispersal of the IL to the aqueous sample solution to form infinitesimal IL drops and increase the interface between them and the target analytes (at high temperature), and the facilitation of mass transfer between the phases, and achievement of phase separation (at low temperature). Due to the ultra-hydrophobic feature and high density of the extraction solvent, complete phase separation could be effected by centrifugation. Moreover, no disperser solvent was required. Another prominent feature of the procedure was the combination of extraction and centrifugation in a single step, which not only greatly reduced the total analysis time for TC-IL-DLPME but also simplified the sample preparation procedure. Various parameters that affected the extraction efficiency (such as type and volume of extraction solvent, temperature, salt addition, extraction time and pH) were evaluated. Under optimal conditions, the proposed method provided good enrichment factors in the range of 240–350, and relative standard deviations (n = 5) below 6.3%. The limits of detection were in the range of 0.2–5.0 ng/mL, depending on the analytes. The linearities were between 1 and 500 ng/mL for BP, 5 and 1000 ng/mL for BP-3, 10 and 1000 ng/mL for HMS and 5 and 1000 ng/mL for EHS. Finally, the proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of UV filters in swimming pool and tap water samples and acceptable relative recoveries over the range of 88.0–116.0% were obtained.     

Solvent bar microextraction combined with high‐performance liquid chromatography for preconcentration and determination of pramipexole in biological samples

A simple, rapid and sensitive analytical method for preconcentration and determination of pramipexole in different biological samples has been developed using solvent bar microextraction (SBME) combined with HPLC‐UV. The target drugs were extracted from 10 mL of basic aqueous sample solution into an organic extracting solvent located inside the pores of a polypropylene hollow fiber, then back‐extracted into an acidified aqueous solution in the lumen of the hollow fiber. In order to obtain high extraction efficiency, the effect of different variables on the extraction efficiency was studied simultaneously using an experimental design. The experimental parameters of SBME were optimized using a Box–Behnken design after a Plackett–Burman screening design. Under the optimized conditions, an enrichment factor up to 96 was achieved and the relative standard deviation of the method was 4.64% (n = 5). The linear range was 0.05–2000 µg/L with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.987. Finally, the applicability of the proposed method was evaluated by extraction and determination of pramipexole in plasma and urine samples. The results indicated that SBME method has excellent clean‐up and high preconcentration factor and can serve as a simple and sensitive method for analysis of pramipexole in biological samples. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dynamic headspace time-extended helix liquid-phase microextraction

Liquid-phase microextraction (LPME) has been proved to be a fast, inexpensive and effective sample pre-treatment technique for the analyses of pesticides and many other compounds. In this investigation, a new headspace microextraction technique, dynamic headspace time-extended helix liquid-phase microextraction (DHS-TEH-LPME), is presented. In this work, use of a solvent cooling system, permits the temperature of the extraction solvent to be lowered. Lowering the temperature of the extraction solvent not only reduces solvent loss but also extends the feasible extraction time, thereby improving extraction efficiency. Use of a larger volume of the solvent not only extends the feasible extraction time but also, after extraction, leaves a larger volume to be directly injected into the gas chromatography (GC) to increase extraction efficiency and instrument signal. The DHS-TEH-LPME technique was used to extract six organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) from 110 ml water samples that had been spiked with the analytes at ng/l levels, and stirred for 60 min. The proposed method attained enrichments up to 2121 fold. The effects of extraction solvent identity, sample agitation, extraction time, extraction temperature, and salt concentration on extraction performance were also investigated. The method detection limits (MDLs) varied from 0.2 to 25 ng/l. The calibration curves were linear for at least 2 orders of magnitude with R² ≧ 0.996. Relative recoveries in river water were more than 86%.     

On-line micro-volume introduction system developed for lower density than water extraction solvent and dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction coupled with flame atomic absorption spectrometry

A simple and fast preconcentration/separation dispersive liquid–liquid micro extraction (DLLME) method for metal determination based on the use of extraction solvent with lower density than water has been developed. For this purpose a novel micro-volume introduction system was developed enabling the on-line injection of the organic solvent into flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed system were demonstrated for lead and copper preconcentration in environmental water samples using di-isobutyl ketone (DBIK) as extraction solvent. Under the optimum conditions the enhancement factor for lead and copper was 187 and 310 respectively. For a sample volume of 10 mL, the detection limit (3 s) and the relative standard deviation were 1.2 μg L⁻¹ and 3.3% for lead and 0.12 μg L⁻¹ and 2.9% for copper respectively. The developed method was evaluated by analyzing certified reference material and it was applied successfully to the analysis of environmental water samples.     

Automated polyvinylidene difluoride hollow fiber liquid-phase microextraction of flunitrazepam in plasma and urine samples for gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A new polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) hollow fiber (200 μm wall thickness, 1.2 mm internal diameter, 0.2 μm pore size) was compared with two other polypropylene (PP) hollow fibers (200, 300 μm wall thickness, 1.2 mm internal diameter, 0.2 μm pore size) in the automated hollow fiber liquid-phase microextraction (HF-LPME) of flunitrazepam (FLNZ) in biological samples. With higher porosity and better solvent compatibility, the PVDF hollow fiber showed advantages with faster extraction efficiency and operational accuracy. Parameters of the CTC autosampler program for HF-LPME in plasma and urine samples were carefully investigated to ensure accuracy and reproducibility. Several parameters influencing the efficiency of HF-LPME of FLNZ in plasma and urine samples were optimized, including type of porous hollow fiber, organic solvent, agitation rate, extraction time, salt concentration, organic modifier, and pH. Under optimal conditions, extraction recoveries of FLNZ in plasma and urine samples were 6.5% and 83.5%, respectively, corresponding to the enrichment factor of 13 in plasma matrix and 167 in urine matrix. Excellent sample clean-up was observed and good linearities (r² = 0.9979 for plasma sample and 0.9995 for urine sample) were obtained in the range of 0.1–1000 ng/mL (plasma sample) and 0.01–1000 ng/mL (urine sample). The limits of detection (S/N = 3) were 0.025 ng/mL in plasma matrix and 0.001 ng/mL in urine matrix by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry.     

New approach applying a pet fish air pump in liquid‐phase microextraction for the determination of Sudan dyes in food samples by HPLC

A new approach applying a pet fish air pump is introduced to develop an extraction method, namely, air‐pump‐enhanced emulsion, followed by salt‐assisted emulsion breaking based on solidified floating organic drop microextraction for the extraction and preconcentration of Sudan I–IV before high‐performance liquid chromatography. The applicability of this method was successfully demonstrated by determination of these dyes in four chili products that include chili powder, chili oil, chili sauce, and chili paste. An enrichment factor of 62 was obtained only with a sample solution of 5 mL. A linear range of 0.5–2500 ng/mL was obtained with a limit of detection of 0.16–0.24 ng/mL and recovery of 90–110%. This method is superior to other liquid–liquid extraction methods, as is simple, rapid, environmental friendly, and its phase separation needs no centrifugation. It also needs no disperser solvent and requires less organic solvent, and satisfies the criteria to be called as a green extraction. Therefore, this facile extraction method can be successfully applied in the determination of Sudan dyes in food samples.     

Determination of organophosphorous pesticides in water using in-syringe ultrasound-assisted emulsification and gas chromatography with electron-capture detection

An in-syringe ultrasound-assisted emulsification microextraction (USAEME) was developed for the extraction of organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) from water samples. The OPPs subsequently analyzed gas chromatography (GC) using a microelectron capture detector (μECD). Ultrasound radiation was applied to accelerate the emulsification of μL-level low-density organic solvent in aqueous solutions to enhance the microextraction efficiency of OPPs in the sample preparation for GC-μECD. Parameters affecting the efficiency of USAEME, such as the extraction solvent, solvent volume, pH, salt-addition, and extraction time were thoroughly investigated. Based on experimental results, OPPs were extracted from a 5 mL aqueous sample by the addition of 20 μL toluene as the extraction solvent, followed by ultrasonication for 30 s, and then centrifugation for 3 min at 3200 rpm, offered the best extraction efficiency. Detections were linear in the concentration of 0.01–1 μg/L with detection limits between 1 ng/L and 2 ng/L for OPPs. Enrichment factors ranged from 330 to 699. Three spiked aqueous samples were analyzed, and recovery ranged from 90.1% to 104.7% for farm-field water, and 90.1% to 101.8% for industrial wastewater. The proposed method provides a simple, rapid, sensitive, inexpensive, and eco-friendly process for determining OPPs in water samples.     

Combination of dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction with flame atomic absorption spectrometry using microsample introduction for determination of lead in water samples

The dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) was combined with the flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) for determination of lead in the water samples. Diethyldithiophosphoric acid (DDTP), carbon tetrachloride and methanol were used as chelating agent, extraction solvent and disperser solvent, respectively. A new FAAS sample introduction system was employed for the microvolume nebulization of the non-flammable chlorinated organic extracts. Injection of 20 μL volumes of the organic extract into an air-acetylene flame provided very sensitive spike-like and reproducible signals.Some effective parameters on the microextraction and the complex formation were selected and optimized. These parameters include extraction and disperser solvent type as well as their volume, extraction time, salt effect, pH and amount of the chelating agent. Under the optimized conditions, the enrichment factor of 450 was obtained from a sample volume of 25.0 mL. The enhancement factor, calculated as the ratio of the slopes of the calibration graphs with and without preconcentration, which was about 1000. The calibration graph was linear in the range of 1-70 μg L⁻¹ with a detection limit of 0.5 μg L⁻¹. The relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) for seven replicate measurements of 5.0 and 50 μg L⁻¹ of lead were 3.8 and 2.0%, respectively. The relative recoveries of lead in tap, well, river and seawater samples at the spiking level of 20 μg L⁻¹ ranged from 93.8 to 106.2%. The characteristics of the proposed method were compared with those of the liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), cloud point extraction (CPE), on-line and off-line solid-phase extraction (SPE) as well as co-precipitation, based on bibliographic data. Operation simplicity, rapidity, low cost, high enrichment factor, good repeatability, and low consumption of the extraction solvent at a microliter level are the main advantages of the proposed method.     

Optimization of dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction combined with gas chromatography for the analysis of nitroaromatic compounds in water

Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) coupled with gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) was developed for preconcentration and determination of some nitroaromatic compounds in wastewater samples. The effects of different variables on the extraction efficiency were studied simultaneously using experimental design. The variables of interest in the DLLME process were extraction and disperser solvent volumes, salt effect, sample volume, extraction temperature and extraction time. A Plackett-Burman design was performed for screening of variables in order to determine the significant variables affecting the extraction efficiency. Then, the significant factors were optimized by using a central composite design (CCD) and the response surface equations were derived. The optimum experimental conditions found from this statistical evaluation included: sample volume, 9 mL; extraction solvent (CCl₄) volume, 20 μL; disperser solvent (methanol) volume, 0.75 mL; sodium chloride concentration, 3% (w/v); extraction temperature, 20 °C and extraction time, 2 min. Under the optimum conditions, the preconcentration factors were between 202 and 314. Limit of detections (LODs) ranged from 0.09 μg L⁻¹ (for 2-nitrotoluene) to 0.5 μg L⁻¹ (for 2,4-dinitrotoluene). Linear dynamic ranges (LDRs) of 0.5-300 and 1-400 μg L⁻¹ were obtained for mononitrotoluenes (MNTs) and dinitrotoluenes (DNTs), respectively. Performance of the present method was evaluated for extraction and determination of nitroaromatic compounds in wastewater samples in the range of microgram per liter and satisfactory results were obtained (RSDs < 10.1%).     

Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction followed by reversed phase HPLC for the determination of decabrominated diphenyl ether in natural water

A simple, rapid, and efficient method, dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME), has been developed for the extraction and preconcentration of decabrominated diphenyl ether (BDE-209) in environmental water samples. The factors relevant to the microextraction efficiency, such as the kind and volume of extraction and dispersive solvent, the extraction time, and the salt effect, were optimized. Under the optimum conditions (extraction solvent: tetrachloroethane, volume, 22.0 microL; dispersive solvent: THF, volume, 1.00 mL; extraction time: below 5 s and without salt addition), the most time-consuming step is the centrifugation of the sample solution in the extraction procedure, which is about 2 min. In this method, the enrichment factor could be as high as 153 in 5.00 mL water sample, and the linear range, correlation coefficient (r(2)), detection limit (S/N = 3), and precision (RSD, n = 6) were 0.001-0.5 microg/mL, 0.9999, 0.2 ng/mL, and 2.1%, respectively. This method was successfully applied to the extraction of BDE-209 from tap, East Lake, and Yangtse River water samples; the relative recoveries were 95.8, 92.9, and 89.9% and the RSD% (n = 3) were 1.9, 2.7, and 3.5%, respectively. Comparison of this method with other methods, such as solid-phase microextraction (SPME), and single-drop microextraction (SDME), indicates that DLLME is a simple, fast, and low-cost method for the determination of BDE-209, and thus has tremendous potential in polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) residual analysis in environmental water samples.     

Determination of 7-aminoflunitrazepam in urine by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction with liquid chromatography-electrospray-tandem mass spectrometry

Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) and liquid chromatography-electrospray-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ES-MS/MS) procedure was presented for the extraction and determination of 7-aminoflunitrazepam (7-aminoFM2), a biomarker of the hypnotic flunitrazepam (FM2) in urine sample. The method was based on the formation of tiny droplets of an organic extractant in the sample solution using water-immiscible organic solvent [dichloromethane (DCM), an extractant] dissolved in water-miscible organic dispersive solvent [isopropyl alcohol (IPA)]. First, 7-aminoFM2 from basified urine sample was extracted into the dispersed DCM droplets. The extracting organic phase was separated by centrifuging and the sedimented phase was transferred into a 300 μl vial insert and evaporated to dryness. The residue was reconstituted in 30 μl mobile phase (20:80, acetonitrile:water). An aliquot of 20 μl as injected into LC-ES-MS/MS. Various parameters affecting the extraction efficiency (type and volume of extraction and dispersive solvent, effect of alkali and salt) were evaluated. Under optimum conditions, precision, linearity (correlation coefficient, r² = 0.988 over the concentration range of 0.05-2.5 ng/ml), detection limit (0.025 ng/ml) and enrichment factor (20) had been obtained. To our knowledge, DLLME was applied to urine sample for the first time.     

Quantitative determination of nicotinic acid in micro liter volume of urine sample by drop-to-drop solvent microextraction coupled to matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry

Drop-to-drop solvent microextraction (DDSME) coupled with matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) for quantitative determination of nicotinic acid in one drop of urine sample has been proposed. All parameters, such as type of organic solvent, extraction time, exposure volume solvent, pH of the sample solution that affecting the separation and preconcentration of nicotinic acid were investigated. Under the optimal conditions, the detection limit of the method was 20 ng mL(-1) and the relative standard deviations (RSD) for determination of the nicotinic acid were in the range of 8.0-12.5%. The calculated calibration curves gave linearity in the range of 80-1000 ng mL(-1). The main advantages of the proposed method are simple, fast, and small amount of sample solution is used for separation and preconcentration of nicotinic acid. This method could be also useful for the analysis of other interested analytes in small volume of biological samples, like plasma, saliva and urine, where the availability of samples are limited.     

Separation/preconcentration and determination of vanadium with dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction based on solidification of floating organic drop (DLLME-SFO) and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A novel dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction based on solidification of floating organic drop (DLLME-SFO) for separation/preconcentration of ultra trace amount of vanadium and its determination with the electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) was developed. The DLLME-SFO behavior of vanadium (V) using N-benzoyl-N-phenylhydroxylamine (BPHA) as complexing agent was systematically investigated. The factors influencing the complex formation and extraction by DLLME-SFO method were optimized. Under the optimized conditions: 100 μL, 200 μL and 25 mL of extraction solvent (1-undecanol), disperser solvent (acetone) and sample volume, respectively, an enrichment factor of 184, a detection limit (based on 3S_b/m) of 7 ng L⁻¹ and a relative standard deviation of 4.6% (at 500 ng L⁻¹) were obtained. The calibration graph using the preconcentration system for vanadium was linear from 20 to 1000 ng L⁻¹ with a correlation coefficient of 0.9996. The method was successfully applied for the determination of vanadium in water and parsley.     

Reversed-phase dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction with central composite design optimization for preconcentration and HPLC determination of oleuropein

A reversed-phase dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (RP-DLLME) method was developed for the preconcentration and direct HPLC determination of oleuropein in olive's processing wastewater (OPW) and olive leaves extracts. In conventional DLLME, the sedimented phase is a micro-drop of a chlorinated organic solvent that is not compatible with RP-HPLC. Therefore, solvent evaporation and reconstitution with an appropriate solvent is often required. In RP-DLLME, this problem was overcome by overturning the solvent polarity in the ordinary DLLME and replacing the organic solvent with water. A central composite chemometrics design was used for multivariate optimization of the effects of five different parameters influencing the extraction efficiency of the method. In the optimized conditions, a mixture of 1.4 mL of an ethyl acetate extract of sample and 40 μL water (pH 5.0) was rapidly injected into 5.3 mL of cyclohexane. After centrifugation of the formed cloudy mixture, a micro-drop of the aqueous phase was sedimented at the conical bottom of the centrifuge tube. This phase, that contained the preconcentrated and partially purified analyte, was directly injected into an RP-HPLC column for analysis. A mean extraction recovery of 102.5 (±4.5) % with enrichment factors exceeding 38, was obtained for five replicated analysis. The detection limit of the method (3σ) for OE was 0.02 μg L⁻¹ for OPW and 2 × 10⁻³ mg kg⁻¹ for olive leaves samples. The results showed that, RP-DLLME is a promising technique which is quick, easily operated and can be directly coupled to HPLC.     

Modified-cold induced aggregation microextraction based on ionic liquid and fibre optic-linear array detection spectrophotometric determination of palladium in saline solutions

In this research, a novel microextraction technique based on ionic liquids (ILs) termed in modified-cold induced aggregation microextraction (M-CIAME) was used for determination of palladium in saline solution. 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphtol (PAN) was chosen as the complexing agent. Analysis was carried out using fibre optic-linear array detection spectrophotometric method which is suitable for analyte determination after microextraction. M-CIAME is based on phase separation phenomenon of ionic liquids in aqueous solutions. This method is simple and rapid for extraction and preconcentration of metal ions from water samples. It can be applied for the sample solutions containing much higher concentrations of salt, in comparison with CIAME (cold induced aggregation microextraction). Furthermore, this technique is much safer in comparison with other microextraction techniques in which organic solvent is used as the extraction solvent. Some effective parameters on extraction and complex formation such as amount of IL, salt effect, pH, concentration of the chelating agent and the other parameters were optimised. Under the optimum conditions, the limit of detection (LOD) and repeatability, expressed as relative standard deviation (n?=?5) for 20?ng?mL^?1 of palladium were 0.4?ng?mL^?1 and 2.23%, respectively. The extraction percentage was 86%.     

Preconcentration procedure using in situ solvent formation microextraction in the presence of ionic liquid for cadmium determination in saline samples by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

A simple in situ solvent formation microextraction methodology based on the application of ionic liquid (IL) as an extractant solvent and sodium hexafluorophosphate (NaPF₆) as an ion-pairing agent was proposed for the preconcentration of trace levels of cadmium. In this method cadmium was complexed with O,O-diethyldithiophosphate (DDTP) and extracted into an ionic liquid phase. After phase separation, the enriched analyte in the final solution is determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). ISFME is a simple and rapid method for extraction and preconcentration of metal ions from sample solutions containing a high concentration of salt. Some effective factors that influence the microextraction efficiency were investigated and optimized. Under the optimum experimental conditions, the limit of detection (3 s) and the enhancement factor were 0.07 μg L⁻¹ and 78, respectively. The relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) was obtained 2.42%. The accuracy of the method was confirmed by analyzing certified reference materials for trace elements in seawater (GBW (E) 080040 seawater). The proposed method was successfully applied for the determination of cadmium in water samples and food grade salts.     

Three‐phase hollow fiber liquid‐phase microextraction based on a magnetofluid for the analysis of aristolochic acids in plasma by high‐performance liquid chromatography

A new and fast sample preparation technique based on three‐phase hollow fiber liquid‐phase microextraction with a magnetofluid was developed and successfully used to quantify the aristolochic acid I (AA‐I) and AA‐II in plasma after oral administration of Caulis akebiae extract. Analysis was accomplished by reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Parameters that affect the hollow fiber liquid‐phase microextraction processes, such as the solvent type, pH of donor and acceptor phases, content of magnetofluid, salt content, stirring speed, hollow fiber length, extraction temperature, and extraction time, were investigated and optimized. Under the optimized conditions, the preconcentration factors for AA‐I and AA‐II were >627. The calibration curve for two AAs was linear in the range of 0.1–10 ng/mL with the correlation coefficients >0.9997. The intraday and interday precision was <5.71% and the LODs were 11 pg/mL for AA‐I and 13 pg/mL for AA‐II (S/N = 3). The separation and determination of the two AAs in plasma after oral administration of C. akebiae extract were completed by the validated method.     

Three-phase solvent bar microextraction and determination of trace amounts of clenbuterol in human urine by liquid chromatography and electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

Three-phase solvent bar microextraction (TPSBME) technique is described for the quantitative determination of trace amounts of clenbuterol (CB) in urine samples using liquid chromatography (LC) and electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (ES-TMS). CB was extracted from a basified urine sample (donor phase) into the organic solvent residing in the pores of a freely moving hollow fiber and then back extracted into an acidic solution (acceptor phase) inside the lumen of the hollow fiber. The ends of the fiber were pressure-sealed. Here, forward and back extraction took place spontaneously. We studied various parameters affecting the extraction efficiency viz. type of organic solvent (octanol, nonanol and dihexyl ether) used for immobilization in the pores of the hollow fiber, i.e. extraction time (10-40 min), stirring speed (0-1000 rpm), effect of sodium chloride (0-25%, w/v) and concentration of the donor (0.25-3 M NaOH) and the acceptor (0.5-5 M formic acid) phases. After extraction, CB was analyzed by injecting the analyte enriched acceptor phase into LC combined with ES-TMS. Enrichment factor (79), repeatability (R.S.D. = 5.1%), correlation coefficient (0.9972, for the range of 0.1-4 ng mL⁻¹), detection limit (7 pg mL⁻¹) were also investigated. The present technique is compared with the reported solid phase microextraction techniques in terms of selectivity, analysis time per extraction, cost of analysis per extraction, and precision. Among all microextraction techniques reported, this technique is the most economical sample preparation/preconcentration technique to our knowledge. The method was applied for the analysis of CB in human urine.