Hypercrosslinked particles for the extraction of sweeteners using dispersive solid‐phase extraction from environmental samples

This work presents a new extraction material, namely, Q‐100, based on hypercrosslinked magnetic particles, which was tested in dispersive solid‐phase extraction for a group of sweeteners from environmental samples. The hypercrosslinked Q‐100 magnetic particles had the advantage of suitable pore size distribution and high surface area, and showed good retention behavior toward sweeteners. Different dispersive solid‐phase extraction parameters such as amount of magnetic particles or extraction time were optimized. Under optimum conditions, Q‐100 showed suitable apparent recovery, ranging in the case of river water sample from 21 to 88% for all the sweeteners, except for alitame (12%). The validated method based on dispersive solid‐phase extraction using Q‐100 followed by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry provided good linearity and limits of quantification between 0.01 and 0.1 μg/L. The method was applied to analyze samples from river water and effluent wastewater, and four sweeteners (acesulfame, saccharin, cyclamate, and sucralose) were found in both types of sample.     

Magnetic solid‐phase extraction of benzoylurea insecticides by Fe3O4 nanoparticles decorated with a hyper‐cross‐linked porous organic polymer

A magnetic polytriphenylamine porous organic polymer was prepared through simple self‐polycondensation of triphenylamine followed by coprecipitation with Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺. It was applied as a magnetic adsorbent for the extraction of six benzoylurea insecticides from tomato, cucumber, and watermelon samples before their high‐performance liquid chromatography and mass spectral detection. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the established method gave a low limit of detection ranging from 0.05 to 0.1 ng/g and a good linear response ranging from 0.2 to 40 ng/g with coefficients of determination >0.99. The method recoveries for spiked analytes at the concentrations of 3 and 15 ng/g in real samples were in the range of 87.7–106.7% with the relative standard deviations <6.4%. The results indicated that it had a good adsorption capability toward the target analytes due to the π‐stacking and hydrogen bonding interactions. The polymer material showed great potential in the efficient extraction of organic compounds from real samples with complex matrixes.     

Magnetic dispersive solid‐phase extraction based on modified magnetic nanoparticles for the detection of cocaine and cocaine metabolites in human urine by high‐performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry

An easy‐to‐handle magnetic dispersive solid‐phase extraction procedure was developed for preconcentration and extraction of cocaine and cocaine metabolites in human urine. Divinyl benzene and vinyl pyrrolidone functionalized silanized Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were synthesized and used as adsorbents in this procedure. Scanning electron microscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry, and infrared spectroscopy were employed to characterize the modified adsorbents. A high‐performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry method for determination of cocaine and its metabolites in human urine sample has been developed with pretreatment of the samples by magnetic dispersive solid‐phase extraction. The obtained results demonstrated the higher extraction capacity of the prepared nanoparticles with recoveries between 75.1 to 105.7% and correlation coefficients higher than 0.9971. The limits of detection for the cocaine and cocaine metabolites were 0.09–1.10 ng/mL. The proposed magnetic dispersive solid‐phase extraction method provided a rapid, environmentally friendly and magnetic stuff recyclable approach and it was confirmed that the prepared adsorbents material was a kind of highly effective extraction materials for the trace cocaine and cocaine metabolites analyses in human urine.     

Magnetic solid‐phase extraction or dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for pyrethroid determination in environmental samples

The determination of 15 pyrethroids in soil and water samples was carried out by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. Compounds were extracted from the soil samples (4 g) using solid–liquid extraction and then salting‐out assisted liquid–liquid extraction. The acetonitrile phase obtained (0.8 mL) was used as a dispersant solvent, to which 75 μL of chloroform was added as an extractant solvent, submitting the mixture to dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction. For the analysis of water samples (40 mL), magnetic solid‐phase extraction was performed using nanocomposites of magnetic nanoparticles and multiwalled carbon nanotubes as sorbent material (10 mg). The mixture was shaken for 45 min at room temperature before separation with a magnet and desorption with 3 mL of acetone using ultrasounds for 5 min. The solvent was evaporated and reconstituted with 100 μL acetonitrile before injection. Matrix‐matched calibration is recommended for quantification of soil samples, while water samples can be quantified by standards calibration. The limits of detection were in the range of 0.03–0.5 ng/g (soil) and 0.09–0.24 ng/mL (water), depending on the analyte. The analyzed environmental samples did not contain the studied pyrethroids, at least above the corresponding limits of detection.     

High‐throughput 96‐well solid‐phase extraction for preparation of tetracycline followed by liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry analysis

Tetracyclines abuse has frequently occurred in aquaculture against bacteria, rickettsiae, spirochetes, and mycoplasmas. In this study, a high‐throughput sample preparation method was developed using 96‐well plate solid‐phase extraction (p‐SPE) and the extract was analyzed by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC‐MS/MS). The experimental conditions were optimized such that the pH is 4, the eluting solvent is methanol (2 mL), and the sorbent is hydrophilic‐lipophilic balance (HLB) microsphere. The whole protocol was validated, and it showed that the tetracyclines were linear with correlation coefficients ≥ 0.9990, precision and accuracy (RSD%) in 3.9–6.1%, and mean recoveries of 88.6–103.6%. To exhibit the potential of 96‐well p‐SPE as a routine tool for inspection and quarantine, fresh aquatic samples were tested, and among which positive samples were observed. This method was demonstrated to be promising for the purification and enrichment of tetracyclines with reduced time and labor, and indeed practically and particularly suitable for widespread tetracyclines analysis.     

Determination of trace amounts of aromatic amines after magnetic solid‐phase extraction using silver‐modified Fe3O4/graphene nanocomposite

In this work, a fast and simple magnetic dispersive solid phase extraction methodology was developed utilizing Ag@magnetite nanoparticles@graphene nanocomposite as an efficient magnetic nanosorbent for preconcentration and determine of five aromatic amines in water samples. The sorbent was characterized by diverse characterization techniques. After the extraction, high‐performance liquid chromatography with UV detection was utilized to analysis the aromatic amines. The effects of different factors on the extraction process were studied thoroughly via design of experiment and desirability function. Detection limits and linear dynamic ranges were obtained in the range of 0.10–0.20 and 0.3–300 μg/L, respectively. The relative standard deviations (n = 5) were in the range of 4.3–6.5%. Eventually, the method was employed for determination of target aromatic amines in various water samples.     

Fast determination of 14 mycotoxins in chestnut by dispersive solid‐phase extraction coupled with ultra high performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry

A dispersive solid‐phase extraction coupled with ultra high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of T‐2 toxin, penicillic acid, fumonisins B₁, B₂, and B₃, aflatoxins B₁, B₂, G₁, and G₂, ochratoxin A, deoxynivalenol, 3‐acetyldeoxynivalenol, 15‐acetyldeoxynivalenol, and zearalenone in chestnut samples. The method was used to analyze 136 samples obtained from Shandong province in China. The mycotoxins were extracted using a dispersive solid‐phase extraction method and cleaned using an improved quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe approach. The mycotoxins were then detected using a triple‐quadrupole mass spectrometer. The limits of detection and quantification ranged from 0.02 to 1 and 0.1 to 2 μg/kg, respectively. The recovery rates ranged from 74.2 to 109.5%, with relative standard deviations below 15%. A total of 71 samples were contaminated with seven mycotoxins at concentrations ranging from 1.2 to 105.5 μg/kg, with a number of samples exceeding the maximum limits set in the European regulations for mycotoxins in unprocessed chestnuts.     

Multi‐residue analysis of 44 pharmaceutical compounds in environmental water samples by solid‐phase extraction coupled to liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry

A solid‐phase extraction combined with a liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry analysis has been developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of 44 pharmaceuticals belonging to different therapeutic classes (i.e., antibiotics, anti‐inflammatories, cardiovascular agents, hormones, neuroleptics, and anxiolytics) in water samples. The sample preparation was optimized by studying target compounds retrieval after the following processes: i) water filtration, ii) solid phase extraction using Waters Oasis HLB cartridges at various pH, and iii) several evaporation techniques. The method was then validated by the analysis of spiked estuarine waters and wastewaters before and after treatment. Analytical performances were evaluated in terms of linearity, accuracy, precision, detection, and quantification limits. Recoveries of the pharmaceuticals were acceptable, instrumental detection limits varied between 0.001 and 25 pg injected and method quantification limits ranged from 0.01 to 30.3 ng/L. The precision of the method, calculated as relative standard deviation, ranged from 0.3 to 49.4%. This procedure has been successfully applied to the determination of the target analytes in estuarine waters and wastewaters. Eight of these 44 pharmaceuticals were detected in estuarine water, while 26 of them were detected in wastewater effluent. As expected, the highest values of occurrence and concentration were found in wastewater influent.     

Application of zein‐modified magnetite nanoparticles in dispersive magnetic micro‐solid‐phase extraction of synthetic food dyes in foodstuffs

A simple method for the simultaneous and trace analysis of four synthetic food azo dyes including carmoisine, ponceau 4R, sunset yellow, and allura red from some foodstuff samples was developed by combining dispersive μ‐solid‐phase extraction and high‐performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection. Zein‐modified magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were prepared and used for μ‐solid‐phase extraction of trace amounts of mentioned food dyes. The prepared modified magnetic nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and FTIR spectroscopy. The factors affecting the extraction of the target analytes such as pH, amount of sorbent, extraction time, type and volume of the desorption eluent, and desorption time were investigated. Under the optimized conditions, the method provided good repeatability with relative standard deviations lower than 5.8% (n = 9). Limit of detection values ranged between 0.3 and 0.9 ng/mL with relatively high enrichment factors (224–441). Comparing the obtained results indicated that Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles modified by zein biopolymer show better analytical application than bare magnetic nanoparticles. The proposed method was also applied for the determination of target synthetic food dyes in foodstuff samples such as carbonated beverage, snack, and candy samples.     

Determination of macrolide antibiotics residues in pork using molecularly imprinted dispersive solid‐phase extraction coupled with LC–MS/MS

A class‐specific macrolide molecularly imprinted polymer was synthesized by precipitation polymerization using tulathromycin as the template and methacrylic acid as the functional monomer. The polymers revealed different specific adsorption and imprinting factor for macrolides with different spatial arrangement of side chains as well as lactonic ring size. And the molecularly imprinted polymer possessed maximum adsorption capacity (54.1 mg/g) and highest imprinting factor (2.4) toward 15‐membered ring azithromycin. On the basis of molecularly imprinted polymer dispersive solid‐phase extraction, a rapid, selective, and reproducible method for simultaneous determination of seven macrolide antibiotics residues in pork was established by using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. At spiking levels of 5, 10, 25, and 100 μg/kg, average recoveries of seven macrolides ranged from 68.6 to 95.5% with intraday and interday relative standard deviations below 8%. The limits of detection and limits of quantification were 0.2–0.5 and 0.5–2.0 μg/kg, respectively.     

Magnetic solid‐phase extraction of benzoylurea insecticides in tea samples with Fe3O4‐hyperbranched polyester magnetic composite as sorbent

In this work, a method for the analysis of benzoylurea insecticides, including hexaflumuron, flufenoxuron, lufenuron and chlorfluazuron, in tea samples by high‐performance liquid chromatography with Fe₃O₄‐hyperbranched polyester nanocomposite as the adsorbent for magnetic solid‐phase extraction was developed. The magnetic nanocomposite was prepared and characterized by infrared spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry, and scanning electron microscopy. The as‐prepared nanocomposite was used as a sorbent for the extraction and preconcentration of pesticide residues in tea samples. The extraction and desorption conditions, including mass ratios of raw materials, amount of sorbent, pH value, extraction time, and desorption time, were investigated. Under the final conditions chosen for the analysis, good linearity was obtained for all the tested compounds, with R² values of at least 0.9979. The limits of detection were determined in the range of 0.15–0.3 μg/L. The recovery obtained from the analysis of tea samples with various spiked concentrations was between 90.7 and 98.4%, with relative standard deviations (n = 4) lower than 4.1%. Furthermore, the present approach was successfully applied to the quantitative determination of residues of benzoylurea insecticides in real samples.     

Aminosilanized magnetic carbon microspheres for the magnetic solid‐phase extraction of bisphenol A,bisphenol AF,and tetrabromobisphenol A from environmental water samples

Aminosilanized magnetic carbon microspheres as a novel adsorbent were designed and fabricated. The adsorbent was used for the magnetic solid‐phase extraction of bisphenols at trace levels from environmental water samples before liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry analysis. The structure, surface, and magnetic behavior of the as‐prepared aminosilanized magnetic carbon microspheres were characterized by elemental analysis, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, powder X‐ray diffraction, and vibrating sample magnetometry. The effects of the experimental parameters were investigated by the Plackett–Burman design, and then the parameters that were significant to the extraction efficiencies were optimized through a response surface methodology. The aminosilanized magnetic carbon microspheres exhibited high adsorption efficiency and selectivity for bisphenols. Under optimal conditions, low limits of detection (0.011–2.22 ng/L), and a wide linear range (2–3 orders of magnitude), good repeatability (4.7–7.8%, n = 5), and reproducibility (6.0–8.3%, n = 3) were achieved. The results demonstrate that the novel adsorbent possesses great potentials in the determination of trace levels of bisphenols in environmental water samples.     

Aptamer‐functionalized Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles as a solid‐phase extraction adsorbent for the selective extraction of berberine from Cortex phellodendri

The extraction adsorbent was fabricated by immobilizing the highly specific recognition and binding of aptamer onto the surface of Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles, which not only acted as recognition elements to recognize and capture the target molecule berberine from the extract of Cortex phellodendri , but also could favor the rapid separation and purification of the bound berberine by using an external magnet. The developed solid‐phase extraction method in this work was useful for the selective extraction and determination of berberine in Cortex phellodendri extracts. Various conditions such as the amount of aptamer‐functionalized Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles, extraction time, temperature, pH value, Mg²⁺ concentration, elution time and solvent were optimized for the solid‐phase extraction of berberine. Under optimal conditions, the purity of berberine extracted from Cortex phellodendri was as high as 98.7% compared with that of 4.85% in the extract, indicating that aptamer‐functionalized Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles‐based solid‐phase extraction method was very effective for berberine enrichment and separation from a complex herb extract. The applicability and reliability of the developed solid‐phase extraction method were demonstrated by separating berberine from nine different concentrations of one Cortex phellodendri extract. The relative recoveries of the spiked solutions of all the samples were between 95.4 and 111.3%, with relative standard deviations ranging between 0.57 and 1.85%.     

Multiresidue pesticides analysis in soils using modified QuEChERS with disposable pipette extraction and dispersive solid‐phase extraction

QuEChERS original method was modified into a new version for pesticides determination in soils. The QuEChERS method is based on liquid–liquid portioning with ACN and was followed by cleanup step using dispersive SPE and disposable pipette tips. Gas chromatographic separation with MS detection was carried out for pesticides quantification. The method was validated using recovery experiments for 36 multiclass pesticides. Mean reco‐veries of pesticides at each of the four spiking levels between 10–300 μg/kg of soil ranged from 70–120% for 26 pesticides with RSD values less than 15%. The method achieved low limit of detection less than 7.6 μg/kg. Matrix effects were observed for 13 pesticides. Matrix effects were compensated by using matrix‐matched calibration. The method was applied successfully using d‐SPE or DPX in the analysis of the pesticides in soils from organic farming and integrated pest management.     

Fe3O4/reduced graphene oxide‐carbon nanotubes composite for the magnetic solid‐phase extraction and HPLC determination of sulfonamides in milk

A novel magnetic adsorbent Fe₃O₄/reduced graphene oxide‐carbon nanotubes, was prepared by one‐pot solvothermal synthesis method. It was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray powder diffraction and vibrating sample magnetometry. The diameter of Fe₃O₄ microparticles was about 350 nm, which were covered by carbon nanotubes and reduced graphene oxide sheets, while carbon nanotubes inserted between the reduced graphene oxide sheets effectively prevented their aggregation. The composite had large surface area and good magnetic property, suiting for magnetic solid‐phase extraction and the determination of sulfonamides, by coupling with high‐performance liquid chromatography. Under the optimized conditions (including extraction time, amount of adsorbent, solution pH, ionic strength and desorption conditions), a good linear was achieved in the concentration range of 5–500 μg/L and the low limits of detection and low limits of quantification were 0.35–1.32 and 1.16–4.40 μg/L, respectively. The enrichment factors were estimated to be 24.72 to 30.15 fold. The proposed method was applied for the detection of sulfonamides in milk sample and the recoveries were 88.4–105.9%, with relative standard deviations of 0.74–5.38%.     

Simple magnetization of Fe3O4/MIL‐53(Al)‐NH2 for a rapid vortex‐assisted dispersive magnetic solid‐phase extraction of phenol residues in water samples

The present work describes a simple route to magnetize MIL‐53(Al)‐NH₂ sorbent for rapid extraction of phenol residues from environmental samples. To extend the applications and performances of the metal‐organic frameworks in the field of adsorption materials, we combined the properties of metal‐organic frameworks and magnetite to decrease the extraction time and simplify the extraction process as well. In this study, a simple and quick vortex‐assisted dispersive magnetic solid phase extraction method for the extraction of ten United States Environmental Protection Agency's priority phenols from water samples prior to analysis by high‐performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection was proposed. The developed method exhibits a rapid enrichment of the target analytes within 10 s for extraction and 10 s for desorption. Low detection limits of 1.8‐41.7 µg/L and quantitation limits of 6.0‐139.0 µg/L with the relative standard deviations for intra‐ and interday analyses less than 12% were achieved. Satisfactory recoveries in the range of 80‐111% with the relative standard deviations less than 11% demonstrated that Fe₃O₄/MIL‐53(Al)‐NH₂ is promising sorbent in the field of magnetic solid‐phase extraction for environmental samples.     

Applications of solid‐phase micro‐extraction with mass spectrometry in pesticide analysis

Pesticides, widely applied in agriculture, can produce a variety of transformation products and their continuous use causes deleterious effects to ecosystem. Efficient and sensitive analytical techniques for enrichment and analysis of pesticides samples are highly required. Compared with other extraction methods, solid‐phase micro extraction is a solvent free, cost effective, robust, versatile, and high throughput sample preparation technique, especially for the analysis of pesticides from complicated matrices. Coupling of solid‐phase micro extraction with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry has been extensively applied in pesticide analysis. On the other hand, in recent years, combination of fast separation using solid‐phase micro extraction and rapid detection using ambient mass spectrometry is providing highly efficient pesticide screening. This article summarizes the applications of solid‐phase micro extraction coupled to mass spectrometry for pesticides analysis.     

Two‐dimensional solid‐phase extraction strategy for the selective enrichment of aminoglycosides in milk

An orthogonal two‐dimensional solid‐phase extraction strategy was established for the selective enrichment of three aminoglycosides including spectinomycin, streptomycin, and dihydrostreptomycin in milk. A reversed‐phase liquid chromatography material (C₁₈) and a weak cation‐exchange material (TGA) were integrated in a single solid‐phase extraction cartridge. The feasibility of two‐dimensional clean‐up procedure that experienced two‐step adsorption, two‐step rinsing, and two‐step elution was systematically investigated. Based on the orthogonality of reversed‐phase and weak cation‐exchange procedures, the two‐dimensional solid‐phase extraction strategy could minimize the interference from the hydrophobic matrix existing in traditional reversed‐phase solid‐phase extraction. In addition, high ionic strength in the extracts could be effectively removed before the second dimension of weak cation‐exchange solid‐phase extraction. Combined with liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry, the optimized procedure was validated according to the European Union Commission directive 2002/657/EC. A good performance was achieved in terms of linearity, recovery, precision, decision limit, and detection capability in milk. Finally, the optimized two‐dimensional clean‐up procedure incorporated with liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry was successfully applied to the rapid monitoring of aminoglycoside residues in milk.     

Surface modified‐magnetic nanoparticles by molecular imprinting for the dispersive solid‐phase extraction of triazines from environmental waters

Magnetic nanoparticles have been surface modified by molecular imprinting and evaluated as selective sorbents for the extraction of triazines from environmental waters. The use of propazine as template allowed us to synthesize a selective material able to simultaneously recognize and selective extract not only the template but also several other herbicides of the same family. A magnetic molecularly imprinted‐based dispersive solid‐phase extraction procedure was developed and fully optimized. Magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer particles can be easily collected and separated from liquid solvents and samples with the help of an external magnetic field, avoiding in that way any centrifugation or filtration steps, which represents a remarkable advantage over traditional procedures. Under optimum conditions, selective extraction of several triazines (cyanazine, simazine, atrazine, propazine, and terbutylazine) from environmental water samples was performed prior to final determination by high‐performance liquid chromatography with diode‐array detection. Recoveries for the studied triazines were within the range of 75.2–94.1%, with relative standard deviations lower than 11.3% (n = 3). The limits of detection were within 0.16–0.51 µg/L, depending upon the triazine and the type of sample analyzed.     

Dispersive admicelle solid‐phase extraction based on sodium dodecyl sulfate coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles for the selective adsorption of three alkaloids in Gegen‐Qinlian oral liquid before high‐performance liquid chromatography

A novel dispersive admicelle solid‐phase extraction method based on sodium dodecyl sulfate‐coated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles was developed for the selective adsorption of berberine, coptisine, and palmatine in Gegen‐Qinlian oral liquid before high‐performance liquid chromatography. Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were synthesized by a chemical coprecipitation method and characterized by using transmission electron microscopy. Under acidic conditions, the surface of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles was coated with sodium dodecyl sulfate to form a nano‐sized admicelle magnetic sorbent. Owing to electrostatic interaction, the alkaloids were adsorbed onto the oppositely charged admicelle magnetic nanoparticles. The quick separation of the analyte‐adsorbed nanoparticles from the sample solution was performed by using Nd‐Fe‐B magnet. Best extraction efficiency was achieved under the following conditions: 800 μL Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles suspension (20 mg/mL), 150 μL sodium dodecyl sulfate solution (10 mg/mL), pH 2, and vortexing time 2 min for the extraction of alkaloids from 10 mL of diluted sample. Four hundred microliters of methanol was used to desorb the alkaloids by vortexing for 1 min. Satisfactory extraction recoveries were obtained in the range of 85.9–120.3%, relative standard deviations for intra‐ and interday precisions were less than 6.3 and 10.0%, respectively. Finally, the established method was successfully applied to analyze the alkaloids in two batches of Gegen‐Qinlian oral liquids.