Evaluation of a microwave-assisted extraction technique for the determination of polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides in sediments.

A microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) technique for the determination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in marine sediment samples has been investigated. The analytes were extracted under different treatment conditions, such as temperature, time and extraction solvent. They were quantified by an isotope-dilution method, and the observed concentrations and recovery yields obtained under different conditions were compared. The results of a comparison between this MAE and other extraction techniques, such as pressurized fluid extraction, saponification, sonication, and Soxhlet extraction, are also given in this report. The techniques gave comparable results with the values obtained by other extraction techniques and the certified values in the samples. However, the observed concentration values of mono- and dichlorinated biphenyls varied depending on the extraction temperature.     

Pressurized liquid extraction in determination of polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides in fish samples

Pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) is a relatively new technique applicable for the extraction of persistent organic pollutants from various matrices. The main advantages of this method are short time and low consumption of extraction solvent. The effects of various operational parameters (i.e. temperature of extraction, number of static cycles and extraction solvent mixtures) on the PLE efficiency were investigated in this study. Fish muscle tissue containing 3.2% (w/w) lipids and native polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and other related compounds was used for testing. Purification of crude extracts was carried out by gel permeation chromatography employing Bio-Beads S-X3. Identification and quantitation of target indicator PCBs and OCPs was performed by high-resolution gas chromatography (HRGC) with two parallel electron-capture detectors (ECDs). Results obtained by the optimized PLE procedure were compared with conventional Soxhlet extraction (the same extraction solvent mixtures hexane–dichloromethane (1:1 v/v) and hexane–acetone (4:1 v/v) were used). The recoveries obtained by PLE operated at 90–120 °C were either comparable to “classic” Soxhlet extraction (for higher-chlorinated PCB congeners and DDT group) or even better (for lower chlorinated analytes). The highest recoveries were obtained for three static 5 min extraction cycles.     

Multiresidue-matrix solid-phase dispersion method for determining 16 organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in fish

Summary An effective, multiresidue-matrix, solid-phase dispersion — extraction (MSPD) and GC-MS method for the determination of 16 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), as well as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from the level chlorination in fish is described. The method uses an octadecylsilyl-derivatized silica and Florisil-based MSPD co-column for direct, on-line clean-up. Recoveries calculated from five different fortification levels are >85% in all cases for OCPs, except for heptachlor and 4,4-DDT where recoveries of 78% and 81% are ob-tained, and >95% for PCBs. Detection limits determined for the OCPs vary from 19.6–91.1 ng g^–1, and from 71.4–111.2 ng g^–1 for the two to five chlorine-containing PCBs. The method has been applied to the analysis of fish grown in Er-Jen river (Taiwan) and method may serve as a screening protocol for the determination of OCPs and PCBs in fish.     

Supercritical fluid extraction and clean-up of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in mussels

The simultaneous extraction and clean-up of mussel samples followed by gas chromatography with electron-capture detection and mass spectrometric confirmation of 15 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and 11 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) is developed using Florisil sorbent in the supercritical fluid extraction cell. The method detection limits vary from 1 to 10 ng/g for OCPs and from 2 to 15 ng/g for PCBs. Mean reproducibilities of 11% and 10% and mean recoveries of 80% and 53%, respectively, for OCPs and PCBs are obtained. The feasibility of the proposed supercritical fluid extraction method was confirmed by analyzing a certified reference material and mussels collected from Taiwan region. The method is simple, rapid and requires only small amounts of samples and solvents. It may serve as a screening protocol for the determination of OCPs and PCBs in mussels on a routine basis.     

Characterization of certified reference material for quantification of polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides in fish

Fish certified reference material (CRM), NMIJ CRM 7404-a, for the analysis of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) was developed by the National Metrology Institute of Japan, part of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology. Fish samples (Japanese seabass) used for the preparation of the CRM were collected from Tokyo Bay, and the edible part was freeze-dried, pulverized, sieved, homogenized, and sterilized by γ-irradiation. This sample is in the form of a powder comprising approximately 10 g stored in a brown glass bottle. The certification was carried out using multiple analytical methods such as pressurized liquid extraction, Soxhlet extraction, saponification, and homogenization to ensure the reliability of analytical results; the certified values of target PCBs (PCB 28, PCB 70, PCB 105, PCB 153, and PCB 170) and OCPs (trans-nonachlor, dieldrin, p,p′-DDE, p,p′-DDT, and p,p′-DDD) were 1.05–14.0 μg kg⁻¹ and 1.57–18.0 μg kg⁻¹ for PCBs and OCPs, respectively. This is the first fish powder CRM in which PCBs and OCPs were determined by isotope dilution mass spectrometry.     

A new method for the quantitative analysis of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls

A simple method is described for the quantitative determination of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's) in water at the sub-ppb level. A micro gas-phase extractor advantageously replaces other preconcentration and purification techniques. The extract is analyzed by capillary gas chromatography without further enrichment. The recovery at the ppb level was nearly 100% for organochlorine pesticides and more than 80% for PCB's. The complete procedure including sample preparation, steam distillation-extraction, and capillary gas chromatographic analysis is carried out in less than four hours.     

Pressurized liquid extraction and microwave-assisted extraction in the determination of organochlorine pesticides in fish muscle samples

This paper describes a comparative study of 2 extraction methods, pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), for the determination of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in fish muscle samples. In both cases, samples were extracted with hexane-acetone (50 + 50), and the extracts were purified by solid-phase extraction using a carbon cartridge as the adsorbent. Pesticides were eluted with hexane-ethyl acetate (80 + 20) and determined by gas chromatography with electron-capture detection. Both methods demonstrated good linearity over the range studied (0.005-0.100 microg/mL). Detection limits ranged from 0.029 to 0.295 mg/kg for PLE and from 0.003 to 0.054 mg/kg for MAE. For most of the pesticides, analytical recoveries with both methods were between 80 and 120%, and the relative standard deviations were < 10%. The proposed methods were shown to be powerful techniques for the extraction of OCPs from fish muscle samples. Although good recovery rates were obtained with both extraction methods, MAE provided advantages with regard to sample handling, cost, analysis time, and solvent consumption. Acceptable validation parameters were obtained although MAE was shown to be more sensitive than PLE.     

Simultaneous determination of residual polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides in fish and fish products by gas-liquid chromatography

A procedure is developed for the simultaneous determination of polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides in fish and fish products by gas-liquid chromatography with an electron capture detector on a capillary column DB-1701 (30 m × 0.25 mm × 0.25 μm) under temperature-programming conditions. The detection limit is 0.06 μg/kg of the test sample. Polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides were extracted from the samples using a hexane-acetone mixture (1 : 1). Lipids were removed by treatment with H₂SO₄. Eighteen samples were analyzed; the concentrations of pollutants were found to be below the prescribed values.     

Simple solid-phase extraction method for determination of polychlorinated biphenyls and selected organochlorine pesticides in human serum

A simple off-line solid-phase extraction (SPE) method for isolation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and selected organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) from human serum has been developed. The procedure includes denaturation of serum proteins by a mixture of water-1-propanol, application of the sample by aspiration twice repeatedly through the SPE column and elution with a mixture of n-hexane-dichlormethane. After final clean-up the compounds of interest were analysed by gas chromatography with micro-electron capture detection (GC-microECD). The recoveries achieved for PCB congeners using spiked porcine serum samples were 99-120% and for OCPs 88-115%. Relative standard deviations (RSD) ranged from 3 to 7%. The method was applied to real human serum samples and the recoveries of analytes in the serum were proportionally recalculated considering the recovery of the internal standard PCB-174. PCB-103 served as a syringe standard to correct volume of samples analysed. The aim of this study was to develop an effective off-line SPE procedure by optimization of existing SPE methods to supply laborious, solvent- and time-consuming liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) in routine analytical process.     

Evaluation of Soxhlet extraction, accelerated solvent extraction and microwave-assisted extraction for the determination of polychlorinated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in soil and fish samples

Three commonly applied extraction techniques for persistent organic chemicals, Soxhlet extraction (SE), accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), were applied on soil and fish samples in order to evaluate their performances. For both PCBs and PBDEs, the two more recent developed techniques (ASE and MAE) were in general capable of producing comparable extraction results as the classical SE, and even higher extraction recoveries were obtained for some PCB congeners with large octanol-water partitioning coefficients (K_ow). This relatively uniform extraction results from ASE and MAE indicated that elevated temperature and pressure are favorable to the efficient extraction of PCBs from the solid matrices. For PBDEs, difference between the results from MAE and ASE (or SE) suggests that the MAE extraction condition needs to be carefully optimized according to the characteristics of the matrix and analyte to avoid degradation of higher brominated BDE congeners and improve the extraction yields.     

Optimization of a microwave-assisted extraction method for the analysis of polychlorinated biphenyls in ash samples

An alternative method for the extraction of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in ash samples, which is less time and solvent consuming than Soxhlet extraction, is presented. A study was carried out to evaluate the possibilities of microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) to determine exactly which parameters affect the efficiency of the process, since direct extrapolation of extraction conditions for PCBs in other solid matrices, failed when applied to coplanar congeners in ash samples. Influence of the organic solvent on the yield of the extraction was first evaluated using two ash samples with different percentages of carbon. Once the extraction solvent was fixed, the effects of solvent volume, extraction temperature and extraction time were investigated using an experimental design. It was found that the volume of organic solvent played a more important role in the extraction efficiency than the other factors. In the optimal conditions microwave extractions were performed at 110 degrees C. for 10 min and using 30 ml of toluene. Recoveries higher than 80% were obtained for all the highly chlorinated congeners. including coplanar species, in a spiked ash sample containing a relatively high concentration of carbon. The proposed method was also applied to the determination of PCBs in a reference material of urban dust. Recoveries were similar to those obtained for spiked ash samples.     

Rapid method for trace determination of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in yogurt

A new multiresidue method was developed for the analysis of 19 organochlorine pesticides and 6 polychlorinated biphenyls in yogurt. The sample was extracted twice with acetone by homogenization with an Ultra-Turrax dispersing unit, and the combined extracts were filtered. The extract was then purified by reversed-phase C18 columns and subjected to further cleanup with neutral alumina columns. The residues were determined by gas chromatography with electron capture detection. After the method was optimized, it was validated by determination of recovery percentages, precision (repeatability and reproducibility), and sensitivity (detection and quantitation limits) with yogurt samples fortified at 10 and 1 microg/kg concentration levels. The recovery of 23 organochlorine residues ranged from 77 to 95% at a level of 10 microg/kg, from 74 to 102% at a level of 1 microg/kg, and between 54 and 61% for dieldrin and alpha-endosulfan. The method is repeatable and reproducible, with relative standard deviation values <19% for all residues except dieldrin. Detection and quantitation limits were between 0.02 and 0.62 microg/kg. The analytical method proposed was quick, accurate, repeatable, and reproducible for the determination of organochlorine residues in yogurt samples.     

微波辅助萃取法测定烟草中有机氯类农药残留量

建立了一种微波辅助萃取-固相萃取净化测定烟草中17种有机氯类农药残留量的新方法. 样品用V(正己烷):V(乙酸乙酯)＝1:1提取, 提取液经Florisil固相萃取柱净化后, 采用气相色谱-电子捕获检测器(GC-μECD)进行检测. 17种有机氯农药的0.01、 0.05 mg/kg和0.5 mg/kg加标回收率均在82%以上, RSD在0.11%～8.2%之间, 能满足当前烟草中有机氯农药残留的检测要求.     

Rapid method for the determination of organochlorine pesticides and PCBs in fish muscle samples by microwave-assisted extraction and analysis of extracts by GC-ECD

A procedure for the multiresidue determination of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in fish muscle samples has been developed. The method is based on the microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) of food samples from an acetonitrile-water (95 + 5, v/v) mixture followed by SPE cleanup of the extracts and analysis by GC with an electron capture detector. MAE operational parameters, such as the extraction solvent, temperature, and time, were optimized with respect to the extraction efficiency of the target compounds from food samples with 10-13% fat content. The chosen extraction technique allows reduction of the solvent consumption and extraction time when compared with methods already used. Acetonitrile is a good extraction solvent for low-fat matrixes (2-20% fat content), such as fish samples, because it does not significantly dissolve the highly polar proteins, salts, and sugars commonly found in food and gives high recoveries of a wide polarity range of analytes. For purification, SPE using LC-Florisil was shown to be sufficient for the removal of coextracted substances. Recoveries > 78% with RSD values < 15% were obtained for all compounds under the selected conditions. Method quantification limits were in the 5-10 microg/kg range. The method was applied to the analysis of samples of herring (Clupea harengus) purchased at the local fish market. The method is rapid and reliable for the determination of organochlorine analytes in fish muscle.     

Occurrence of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in soils and sediments from Eastern Romania

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), such as DDT and analogues, hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers and hexachlorobenzene (HCB), were measured in surface soils and sediments from Eastern Romania. Thirty-nine soil samples from the forested zone, eight soil samples from a municipal waste-disposal site, and 10 sediment samples from the Bahlui River along the Iassy city were analysed using accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) and gas chromatography coupled to electron capture detection or mass spectrometry. The low mean concentrations of OCPs (11–31 and 22–84?ng?g^?1 for HCHs and DDTs, respectively) and PCBs (8–43?ng?g^?1) in soil samples from the forested zone suggest that contamination at most of these sites occurred predominantly through atmospheric transport from zones where these compounds were used and subsequently through atmospheric deposition. Contrarily, soil samples collected in the vicinity of a waste-disposal site near Iassy contained higher mean levels of PCBs (278?ng?g^?1, range 34–1132?ng?g^?1) than OCPs (6 and 101?ng?g^?1 of soil for HCHs and DDTs, respectively). The sediment samples collected along the Bahlui river throughout the Iassy city revealed higher mean levels of PCBs (59?ng?g^?1, range 24–158?ng?g^?1) compared with OCP levels (2 and 37?ng?g^?1 of soil for HCHs and DDTs, respectively). Furthermore, PCB profiles and concentrations in the sediment samples varied considerably along the river due to a wide variety of sources, such as different industries and waste sites. Although their sources are difficult to evaluate, the presence of POPs at most sites (especially at the waste-disposal site) may constitute a potential health hazard.     

Evaluation of microwave-assisted extraction for the analysis of organophosphorus and pyrethroid pesticides in green onions

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) for the analysis of organophosphorus (OP) and pyrethroid (PYR) pesticides in green onions by GC/MS. We optimized MAE extraction solvent, temperature, and time by using a certified reference material. As a result, the concentrations of two OP and two PYR target pesticides obtained by MAE with acetonitrile at 110 degrees C for 10 min were in good agreement with certified concentrations and comparable to the results by homogenization used as reference extraction technique. When the recovery test, performed by spiking the target pesticides into blank samples (5.0 g), was carried out with our optimized MAE conditions, mean recoveries of 16 OP and 10 PYR pesticides were 72-108% for a 1.0 pg spiking level and 70-119% for a 0.2 microg level. These results were acceptable according to the validation guideline for testing method of agricultural chemicals in food by Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare in Japan. The results suggested that MAE can be used for the analysis of OP and PYR pesticides in green onions.     

The determination of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls by combustion tube decomposition and molecular emission cavity analysis

The determination of microgram quantities of chlorine in polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine insecticides by molecular emission cavity analysis is described. Samples either pure, in admixture or mixed with sand were decomposed at 900 ± 50°C in a quartz combustion tube in a humidified oxygen atmosphere. The products of decomposition were bubbled through water or 1% ammonia and 4-μl aliquots of the solution obtained were injected into a stainless steel indium-lined cavity and heated in a nitrogen/hydrogen flame. The chlorine was quantified by comparing the intensity of the InCl emission at 360 nm with that obtained from hydrochloric acid standards. The effect of potential interferences such as alkali and alkaline earth metals, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur, carbon aluminium and iron were studied. Except for the alkali and alkaline earth elements, the recoveries of the compounds burned were not affected. Where the elements interfered, methods for eliminating the interferences are described. The chlorine recovery was usually >90%.     

Screening, optimization and validation of microwave-assisted extraction for the determination of persistent organochlorine pesticides

In the present study, a microwave-assisted extraction method has been investigated for the extraction of persistent organochlorine pesticides from sediment in comparison to the classical Soxhlet extraction. The extraction procedure has been screened by a complete factorial design for statistically significant parameters. Thereafter, the identified parameters, composition of extraction solvent (mixtures of n-hexane-acetone), extraction temperature and time were optimized by a Box-Behnken design. Finally, the optimized microwave-assisted procedure has been validated by extraction of two different matrix reference materials, a sediment and a mallow powder. The data obtained for both materials were in good agreement with those obtained by Soxhlet extraction and published values. Special emphasis has been given to an accurate determination of p,p′-DDT, since DDT is known as instable during GC-injection. In order to evaluate the DDT-degradation, ¹³C₁₂-p,p′-DDT-solutions were analyzed and the degradation rates during GC-injection were calculated. Furthermore, ¹³C₁₂-p,p′-DDT was added to the sediment samples prior to extraction and the degradation rates during the optimization experiment have been investigated.     

Extraction of polychlorinated biphenyls from soils by automated focused microwave-assisted Soxhlet extraction

The application of a new focused microwave-assisted Soxhlet extractor for the extraction of polychlorinated biphenyls from differently aged soils is here presented. The new extractor overcomes the disadvantages of previous devices based on the same principle and enables a fully automated extraction of two samples simultaneously. The variables affecting the extraction step (namely, power of irradiation, irradiation time, extractant volume, extractant composition and number of extraction cycles) have been optimized using experimental design methodology. The optimized method has also been applied to a certified reference material (CRM910-050 "real" contaminated soil) for quality assurance validation. Quantification of the target compounds has been performed by GC with ion-trap MS. The mass spectrometer was operated in the electron-ionization mode, with selected-ion monitoring at m/z 152, 186, 292, 326 and 498. The results obtained have demonstrated that this approach is as efficient as conventional Soxhlet but with a drastic reduction of both extraction time (70 min vs. 24 h for the "real" contaminated soil) and organic solvent disposal, as 75-80% of the extractant is recycled.