Determination of 2,4,6-trichloroanisole and 2,4,6-tribromoanisole on ng L-1 to pgL-1 levels in wine by solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry

A gas chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS) method using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) for the determination of 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (TCA) and 2,4,6-tribromoanisole (TBA) in wine at low ng L(-1) levels was developed. A robust SPME method was developed by optimizing several different parameters, including type of fiber, salt addition, sample volume, extraction and desorption time. The quantification limit for TCA and TBA in wine was lowered substantially using GC-HRMS in combination with the optimized SPME method and allowed the detection of low analyte concentrations (ng L(-1)) with good accuracy. Limits of quantification for red wine of 0.3 ng L(-1) for TCA and 0.2 ng L(-1) for TBA with gas chromatography-negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry and 0.03 ng L(-1) for TCA and TBA were achieved using GC-HRMS. The method was applied to 30 wines of which 4 wines were sensorically qualified as cork defected. TCA was found in three of these wines with concentrations in the range 2-25 ng L(-1). TBA was not detected in any of the samples.     

Headspace single-drop microextraction for the analysis of chlorobenzenes in water samples

Exposing a microlitre organic solvent drop to the headspace of an aqueous sample contaminated with ten chlorobenzene compounds proved to be an excellent preconcentration method for headspace analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The proposed headspace single-drop microextraction (SDME) method was initially optimised and the optimum experimental conditions found were: 2.5 microl toluene microdrop exposed for 5 min to the headspace of a 10 ml aqueous sample containing 30% (w/v) NaCl placed in 15 ml vial and stirred at 1000 rpm. The calculated calibration curves gave a high level of linearity for all target analytes with correlation coefficients ranging between 0.9901 and 0.9971, except for hexachlorobenzene where the correlation coefficient was found to be 0.9886. The repeatability of the proposed method, expressed as relative standard deviation varied between 2.1 and 13.2% (n = 5). The limits of detection ranged between 0.003 and 0.031 microg/l using GC-MS with selective ion monitoring. Analysis of spiked tap and well water samples revealed that matrix had little effect on extraction. A comparative study was performed between the proposed method, headspace solid-phase microextraction (SPME), solid-phase extraction (SPE) and EPA method 8121. Overall, headspace SDME proved to be a rapid, simple and sensitive technique for the analysis of chlorobenzenes in water samples, representing an excellent alternative to traditional and other, recently introduced, methods.     

Use of single-drop microextraction for determination of fentanyl in water samples

Fentanyl is a very potent synthetic narcotic analgesic. Because of its strong sedative properties, it has become an analogue of illicit drugs such as heroin. Its unambiguous detection and identification in environmental samples can be regarded as strong evidence of its illicit preparation. In this paper we report application of single-drop microextraction (SDME) for analysis of water samples spiked with fentanyl. Experimental conditions which affect the performance of SDME, for example the nature of the extracting solvent, sample stirring speed, extraction time, ionic strength, and solution pH, were optimized. The method was found to be linear in the concentration range 0.10–10 ng mL⁻¹. The limits of quantitation and detection of the method were 100 pg mL⁻¹ and <75 pg mL⁻¹, respectively. This technique is superior to other sample-preparation techniques because of the simple experimental set-up, short analysis time, high sensitivity, and minimum use of organic solvent.     

Sensitive determination of pesticides residues in wine samples with the aid of single-drop microextraction and response surface methodology

The multi-residue trace-level determination of six pesticides (diazinon, dimethoate, chlorpyrifos, vinclozolin, fenthion and quinalphos) in wine samples, after their single-drop microextraction (SDME) is presented herein. The extraction procedure was optimized using the multivariate optimization approach following a two-stage process. The first screening experimental design brought out the significant parameters and was followed by a central composite design (CCD) experiment, which revealed the simultaneous effect of the significant factors affecting the SDME process. High level of linearity for all target analytes was recorded with r² ranging between 0.9978 and 0.9999 while repeatability (intra-day) and reproducibility (inter-day) varied from 5.6% to 7.4% and 4.9% to 12.5%, respectively. Limits of detection (LODs) and limits of quantification (LOQs) were found to range in the low μg L⁻¹ level. In general, the developed methodology presented simplicity and enhanced sensitivity, rendering it appropriate for routine wine screening purposes.     

Solid-phase microextraction versus single-drop microextraction for the analysis of nitroaromatic explosives in water samples.

This paper compares solid-phase microextraction (SPME) with a recently developed extraction method called single-drop microextraction (SDME) for the analysis of nitroaromatic explosives in water samples. The two techniques are examined in terms of procedure, chromatographic analysis and method performance. All practical considerations for both techniques are also reviewed. SPME requires dedicated apparatus and is relatively expensive, as the fiber's lifetime is limited. However, it has the advantages over SDME that it can be easily used for headspace analysis and has lower detection limits for all the target analytes. SDME requires more elaborate manual operations, thus affecting linearity and precision.     

Determination of 2,4,6-trichloroanisole in wines by headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-electron-capture detection

The retention behaviour of alkaline earth cations was studied as a function of changing composition of acidified ethylenediamine eluent. The multiple eluent species retention model developed for separation of calcium, magnesium and strontium ions was utilized for determination of selectivity coefficients for sample and eluent ions. The suggested model accurately describes and predicts retention of analytes under elution conditions [0.5-2.0 mM C2H4(NH2)2 and pH 4-6] which are of practical importance. The results in three-dimensional retention surface with species distribution graphs are demonstrated. Complexometric titrations and ion chromatography (IC) were compared for the analysis of calcium and magnesium ions. Statistical data indicated that there was no evidence for relative differences between the two methods. However, IC gives several advantages over volumetric method.     

Relationship between sensory and instrumental analysis of 2,4,6-trichloroanisole in wine and cork stoppers

The effect of different corks stoppers on the sensory and instrumental determination of 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (TCA) was studied in wine and cork. A relationship between both measurements was also established.Four types of cork were used to seal white wine bottles for 8 months. The stoppers were from different raw material: a high quality commercial batch (C), slabs with yellow stain (YS) and slabs with a high musty and mouldy taint (T). Spiked samples (S) were prepared from C batch by injecting 1002 ng of TCA into the cork stoppers.TCA was determined by gas chromatography with electron capture detection after headspace solid phase microextraction in bottled wine (12 per group) and after extraction with pentane in the case of corks (six per group). Seven semi-trained assessors evaluated the different samples using a ranking test in 12 and six sessions for wine and cork stoppers, respectively.Wines and corks from S samples showed the highest TCA values in both sensory and instrumental measurements, the lowest values being for C samples. YS and T corks had intermediate values, although in general TCA concentration was higher in T. A slight tendency to increase the TCA content in stoppers with yellow stain compared to C samples was observed in wine. A high correlation coefficient (r=0.82) was found between sensory and instrumental analysis for wine, whereas this coefficient was much lower (r=0.56) for cork stoppers. Some hypotheses are given in order to explain these differences.     

Determination of decabromodiphenyl ether in water samples by single-drop microextraction and RP-HPLC

This paper describes the development of a new method using single-drop microextraction (SDME) and RP-HPLC for the determination of decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) in water samples. The effects of SDME parameters such as extraction solvent, microdrop volume, extraction time, stirring speed, salt concentration, and sample pH on the extraction performance are investigated. Under optimal extraction conditions (extraction solvent, toluene; solvent drop volume, 3.0 microL; extraction time, 15 min; stirring speed, 600 rpm; no addition of salt and change of sample pH), the calibration curve was drawn by plotting peak area against a series of BDE-209 concentrations (0.001-1 microg/mL) in aqueous solution; the correlation coefficient (r) was 0.9998. The limit of detection was 0.7 ng/mL. The enrichment factor was 10.6. The precision of this method was obtained by six successive analyses of a 100 ng/mL standard solution of BDE-209, and RSD was 4.8%. This method was successfully applied to the extraction of BDE-209 from tap and East Lake water samples with relative recoveries ranging from 92.5 to 102.8% and from 91.5 to 96.2%, respectively, and the relative standard deviations (n = 3) were 4.4 and 2.2%. The proposed method is acceptable for the analysis of BDE-209 in water samples.     

Application of single-drop microextraction and comparison with solid-phase microextraction and solid-phase extraction for the determination of alpha- and beta-endosulfan in water samples by gas chromatography-electron-capture detection

Water contamination due to the wide variety of pesticides used in agriculture practices is a global environmental pollution problem. The 98/83 European Directive requires the measurement of pesticides residues at a target concentration of 1.0 microg/l in surface water and 0.1 microg/l in drinking water. In order to reach the level of detection required, efficient extraction techniques are necessary. The application of a new extraction technique: single-drop microextraction (SDME), followed by gas chromatography with electron-capture detection, was assessed for determining alpha-endosulfan and beta-endosulfan in water samples. Experimental parameters which control the performance of SDME, such as selection of microextraction solvent and internal standard, optimization of organic drop volume, effects of sample stirring, temperature and salt addition, and sorption time profiles were studied. Once SDME was optimized, analytical parameters such as linearity, precision, detection and quantitation limits, plus matrix effects were evaluated. The SDME method was compared with solid-phase microextraction and solid-phase extraction with the aim of selecting the most appropriate method for a certain application.     

Investigation of the limitations of saturated fractional factorial experimental designs,with confounding effects for an HPLC ruggedness test

Summary Recently much attention has been directed to the validation of analytical methods. The level of validation will depend on the method application. If a method is developed for general use, for instance by different analysts, instruments or laboratories, then the effect of these changes need evaluation. This is normally referred to as ruggedness testing, where the limitations of the method to changes in the specified conditions are examined.This paper examines the use of Plackett-Burman fractional factorial experiment designs for ruggedness testing in high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The ability of these designs to identify confounding effects is applied to the stability indicating analysis of Salbutamol and its major degradation product, AH4045. The results show that confounding effects, proving extremely pertinent to HPLC, can be identified.The assay proved rugged to most tested changes although not to the use of column packing material from different manufacturers.     

Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction versus single-drop microextraction for the determination of several endocrine-disrupting phenols from seawaters

Two liquid-phase microextraction procedures: single-drop microextraction (SDME) and dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME), have been developed for the determination of several endocrine-disrupting phenols (EDPs) in seawaters, in combination with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV detection. The EDPs studied were bisphenol-A, 4-cumylphenol, 4-tertbutylphenol, 4-octylphenol and 4-n-nonylphenol. The optimized SDME method used 2.5 μL of decanol suspended at the tip of a micro-syringe immersed in 5 mL of seawater sample, and 60 min for the extraction time. The performance of the SDME is characterized for average relative recoveries of 102 ± 11%, precision values (RSD) < 9.4% (spiked level of 50 ng mL⁻¹), and detection limits between 4 and 9 ng mL⁻¹. The optimized DLLME method used 150 μL of a mixture acetonitrile:decanol (ratio 15.7, v/v), which is quickly added to 5 mL of seawater sample, then subjected to vortex during 4 min and centrifuged at 2000 rpm for another 5 min. The performance of the DLLME is characterized for average relative recoveries of 98.7 ± 3.7%, precision values (RSD) < 7.2% (spiked level of 20 ng mL⁻¹), and detection limits between 0.2 and 1.6 ng mL⁻¹. The efficiencies of both methods have also been compared with spiked real seawater samples. The DLLME method has shown to be a more efficient approach for the determination of EDPs in seawater matrices, presenting enrichment factors ranging from 123 to 275, average relative recoveries of 110 ± 11%, and precision values (RSD) < 14%, when using a real seawaters (spiked level of 3.5 ng mL⁻¹).     

Application of single-drop microextraction combined with in-microvial derivatization for determination of acidic herbicides in water samples by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A single-drop microextraction (SDME) method and gas chromatography with mass spectrometry detection have been developed for the determination of acidic herbicides in water. The analytes were extracted from a 3 mL sample solution using 4 microL of hexyl acetate. After extraction, derivatization was carried out inside a glass microvial (1.1mm i.d.) using pentafluorobenzyl bromide (PFBBr). Triethylamine (TEA) was used as the reaction catalyst. The influence of derivatization reagent volume, catalyst amount, derivatization time and temperature on the yield of the in-microvial derivatization was investigated. Derivatization reaction was performed using 0.3 microL of PFBBr and 0.4 microL of TEA (10%, v/v in toluene) at 100 degrees C during 5 min. Also, the effects of different experimental SDME parameters such as selection of organic solvent, sample pH, addition of salt, extraction time and temperature of extraction were studied. Analytical parameters such as enrichment factor, precision, linearity and detection limits were also determined. The enrichment factors were between 83 and 157. The limits of detection (LOD) were in the range 1.2-7 ng/L (S/N=3). The relative standard deviations obtained were below 10.1% (n=5).     

Application of fractional factorial design and Doehlert matrix in the optimization of experimental variables associated with the ultrasonic-assisted acid digestion of chocolate samples for aluminum determination by atomic absorption spectrometry

A simple and rapid method based on ultrasound energy is described for the determination of aluminum (AI) in complex matrixes of chocolate and candy samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The optimization strategy was carried out using multivariate methodologies. Five variables (temperature of the ultrasonic bath; exposure time to ultrasound energy; volumes of 2 acid mixtures, HNO3-H2SO4-H2O2 (1 + 1 + 1) and HNO3-H2O2 (1 + 1); and sample mass) were considered as factors in the optimization process. Interactions between analytical factors and their optimal levels were investigated using fractional factorial and Doehlert matrix designs. Validation of the ultrasonic-assisted acid digestion procedure was performed against standard reference materials, milk powder (SRM 8435) and wheat flour (SRM 1567a). The proposed procedure allowed Al determination with a detection limit of 2.3 microg/L (signal-to-noise = 3) and a precision, calculated as relative standard deviation, of 2.2% for a set of 10 measurements of certified samples. The recovery of Al by the proposed procedure was close to 100%, and no significant difference at the 95% confidence level was found between determined and certified values of Al. The proposed procedure was applied to the determination of Al in chocolate and candy samples. The results indicated that cocoa-based chocolates have higher contents of Al than milk- and sugar-based chocolates and candies.     

Application of a single-drop microextraction for the analysis of organophosphorus pesticides in juice

In this study, a new method for the determination of organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) (ethoprophos, diazinon, parathion methyl, fenitrothion, malathion, isocarbophos and quinaphos) in orange juice was developed. Single-drop microextraction (SDME) parameters, such as organic solvent, drop volume, agitation rate, extraction time, and salt concentration were optimized through analysis of OPPs in fortified water. The orange juice was simply centrifuged and diluted with water, extracted by SDME and analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) equipped with a flame photometric detection (FPD). Fortification tests were conducted for concentrations between 10 and 500 microg/L; mean relative recoveries for each pesticide were all above 76.2% and below 108.0%. Limits of detection of the method for orange juice were below 5 microg/L for all target pesticides. The repeatability of the proposed method, expressed as relative standard deviation varied between 4.6 and 14.1% (n=5). The proposed method is acceptable in the analysis of OPPs pesticides in juice matrices.     

基于离子液体的单滴微萃取-毛细管电泳在线联用测定水体中3种溴酚类化合物

建立了基于离子液体的单滴微萃取-毛细管电泳联用测定溴酚类化合物的方法。考察了萃取剂种类与体积、萃取时间、有机溶剂、盐浓度及萃取温度对萃取效率的影响。确定了最佳萃取条件为:以1-丁基-3-甲基咪唑六氟磷酸盐([C₄MIM]PF₆])离子液体作为萃取剂,萃取时间为8 min,样品溶液中NaCl浓度为10%(质量分数),萃取温度为20 ℃。在最佳条件下,3种溴酚(4-溴酚、2,6-二溴酚和2,4,6-三溴酚)在1~100 mg/L范围内呈良好的线性关系,线性相关系数为0.9939~0.9988;检出限为0.3 mg/L (S/N=3);该方法对3种溴酚的富集倍数分别为115.8、327.0和569.8; 6次平行测定的相对标准偏差为5.21%~6.47%;对本地区自来水、河水和湖水的加标回收率为87.8%~96.7%。结果表明,该方法稳定可靠,适合于水体中溴酚类污染物的测定。     

Determination of trace Cd and Pb in environmental and biological samples by ETV-ICP-MS after single-drop microextraction

A method based on single-drop microextraction (SDME) combined with electrothermal vaporization (ETV)-ICP-MS was proposed for the determination of trace Cd and Pb. 8-Hydroxyquinoline (8-HQ) was employed as extractant dissolved in several microliters of chloroform and then an organic microdrop was formed at the tip of the microsyringe needle to extract the interest analytes. The vaporization behavior of the metal-8-HQ chelates in graphite furnace was investigated, and the ETV temperature program was optimized. The factors that influenced the extraction efficiency of target analytes (including pH value, flow rate of sample, extraction time and organic microdrop volume) were studied. Under the optimum conditions, the detection limits of the Cd and Pb were 4.6 and 2.9 pg mL⁻¹ with the enrichment factor of 140-fold for Cd and 190-fold for Pb, respectively. The proposed method was applied successfully to the determination of trace Cd and Pb in environmental and biological samples. In order to validate the developed method, a certified reference material of GBW 08501 peach leaves was analyzed and the determined values obtained were in a good agreement with the certified values.     

Extraction of phthalic acid esters from soil samples using aqueous room temperature sonication coupled to bubble-in-drop single-drop microextraction

ABSTRACT

As a pre-concentration technique, bubble-in-drop, single-drop microextraction has received considerably less attention than its counterparts despite its efficiency, simplicity, eco-friendliness and affordability. Herein, we present the development of this method using a non-chlorinated solvent – dodecane and its application in the extraction and pre-concentration of 17 phthalic acid esters (PAEs) from aqueous samples. The optimised method used 1 µL dodecane and 0.5 µL air bubble, 5% NaCl and a static extraction time of 20 min. The method demonstrates sufficient linearity (R² ≥ 0.9635) and repeatability (%RSD ≤ 20% for n = 27) with the estimated limit of detection in the range 0.23–0.69 ng/mL using the statistical approach for a 17-component standard mixture of the esters. Enrichment factors ranged from 10 to 38 for all the esters, except dimethyl phthalate that did not show any preference to the dodecane solvent used in the study. Application of the technique to contaminated soil samples detected only one ester – bis-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (0.62 ng/g of soil), the most common PAE found in most solid waste dumpsite studies due to its wide use in everyday life. The study further highlights the difficulty of extracting the phthalates from soil samples owing to their susceptibility to hydrolysis thereby lowering their extractability from the aqueous solutions which is a prime requirement for the liquid-based microextraction techniques.     

Optimisation of alachlor solid-phase microextraction from water samples using experimental design

We have tested screening and response surface experimental designs to optimise the solid-phase microextraction (SPME) of the widely used herbicide alachlor. Extraction time and sample volume were the only statistically significant factors from those studied. In the final optimised conditions the procedure was applied to the SPME-HPLC analysis of alachlor in spiked water samples with excellent figures of merit.     

Strategies for single-drop microextraction optimisation and validation. Application to the detection of potential antimicrobial agents

Convenient methods that are capable of determining potentially antimicrobial compounds in both vapour and liquid phases are required (inter alia) to facilitate the development of active packaging materials using natural substances. The suitability of single-drop microextraction (SDME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for this purpose has been assessed by evaluating its ability to determine a range of analytes (mainly terpenes) in vapour samples and three liquid food simulants - distilled water, 10% (v/v) water/ethanol, and 3% (w/v) acetic acid - by headspace-SDME (HS-SDME) and direct immersion-SDME (DI-SDME), respectively. In this contribution, a screening strategy based on the Hildebrand solubility parameter has been used to build a solvent priority list. Solvents were then tested following the list, taking into account additional factors such as low volatility for HS-SDME or buoyancy and relative miscibility for DI-SDME. Other experimental parameters affecting the performance of SDME (such as drop volume, sampling time and temperature, drop position in the sample vial, sample vial size, stirring rate, filling rate and ionic strength of the sample) were investigated using a Plackett-Burman screening design. The method optimisation was completed by means of response surface modelling (RSM). The methods were validated by characterising relevant performance parameters including their robustness, linear range, accuracy (trueness and precision) and capability of detection as described by the International Organization for Standardization.