A method for rapid determination of arsenic species in vegetables using microwave‐assisted extraction followed by detection with HPLC hyphenated to inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry

Driven by the significant need for characterization of the chemical speciation of arsenic in food, this work developed a method for rapid determination of four common arsenic species, namely, arsenite, arsenate, monomethyl arsenic acid, and dimethyl arsenic acid, in vegetables using microwave‐assisted extraction, followed by detection with high‐performance liquid chromatography hyphenated to inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry. Initial screening results showed that microwave‐assisted extraction using 1% HNO₃ exhibited the highest overall efficiencies for all arsenic species without causing significant degradation of the organic ones. With the aid of response surface methodology, the optimum conditions established for extraction of arsenic species from vegetables were: 500 mg of freeze‐dried vegetable sample, extracted by closed vessel microwave‐assisted extraction using 10 mL of 2% v/v HNO₃ at 90°C for 17 min. Application of the method in the analysis of 24 market vegetable samples indicates that the extraction efficiencies for total arsenic species were in the range of 91.4–106%. Arsenite and arsenate were found to be the predominant arsenic species in the vegetables, which suggests that vegetable consumption could be an important route of inorganic arsenic exposure for the population with a heavy vegetable diet in arsenic polluted regions.     

β‐Cyclodextrin polymer@Fe3O4 based magnetic solid‐phase extraction coupled with HPLC for the determination of benzoylurea insecticides from honey,tomato, and environmental water samples

In this work, a magnetic β‐cyclodextrin polymer was successfully prepared and used as an adsorbent for the magnetic solid‐phase extraction of six benzoylurea insecticides (diflubenzuron, triflumuron, hexaflumuron, teflubenzuron, flufenoxuron, and chlorfluazuron) from honey, tomato, and environmental water samples. The influence of the main experimental conditions on the extraction was studied. Under the optimized conditions, the β‐cyclodextrin polymer@Fe₃O₄ showed an excellent extraction performance for the benzoylurea insecticides. A good linearity was obtained for the analytes in the range of 3.0–800 ng/g for honey samples, 0.3–160 ng/g for tomato samples, and 0.1–80.0 ng/mL for water samples, with the correlation coefficients above 0.9998. Satisfactory repeatabilities were achieved, with the relative standard deviations less than 5.7%. The limits of detection (S/N = 3) of the method for the benzoylurea insecticides were 0.2–0.8 ng/g for honey samples, 0.04–0.10 ng/g for tomato samples, and 0.02–0.05 ng /mL for water samples. The method was successfully used for the determination of the six benzoylurea insecticides residues in honey, tomato, and environmental water samples with a satisfactory result.     

Determination of arsenic species in Solanum Lyratum Thunb using capillary electrophoresis with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

A simple and highly efficient interface to couple capillary electrophoresis with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry by a microflow polyfluoroalkoxy nebulizer and a quadruple ion deflector was developed in this study. By using this interface, six arsenic species, including arsenite, arsenate, monomethylarsonic acid, dimethylarsinic acid, arsenobetaine, and arsenocholine, were baseline‐separated and determined in a single run within 11 min under the optimized separation conditions. The instrumental detection limit was in the range of 0.02–0.06 ng/mL for the six arsenic compounds. Repeatability expressed as the relative standard deviation (n = 5) of both migration time and peak area were better than 2.5 and 4.3% for six arsenic compounds. The proposed method, combined with a closed‐vessel microwave‐assisted extraction procedure, was successfully applied for the determination of arsenic species in the Solanum Lyratum Thunb samples from Anhui province in China with the relative standard deviations (n = 5) ≤4%, method detection limits of 0.2–0.6 ng As/g and a recovery of 98–104%. The experimental results showed that arsenobetaine was the main speciation of arsenic in the Solanum Lyratum Thunb samples from different provinces in China, with a concentration of 0.42–1.30 μg/g.     

Ti (IV) modified vinyl phosphate magnetic nanoparticles for simultaneous preconcentration of multiple arsenic species from chicken samples followed by HPLC-ICP-MS analysis

Ti (IV)-modified vinyl phosphate magnetic nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@KH570-PO₄-Ti (IV)) was prepared for simultaneous extraction of multiple arsenic species, followed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)– inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis. Inorganic arsenic (iAs), dimethyl arsenic acid (DMA), monomethyl arsenic acid (MMA), p-amino phenyl arsenic acid (p-ASA), 4-hdroxyphenylarsenic acid (4-OH), phenyl arsenic acid (PAA), and 3-nitro-4-hydroxyphenylarsenic acid (ROX) were investigated as interest analytes. It was found that they were quantitatively adsorbed on Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@KH570-PO₄-Ti (IV) at pH 5, and desorbed completely with 0.1 mol/L sodium hydroxide solution. Enrichment factor of 100-fold was obtained by consuming 100 mL sample solution. Under the optimal conditions, the method combining MSPE with HPLC-ICP-MS presented a linear range of 1–5000 ng/L for seven arsenic species. The limits of detection were 0.39, 0.60, 0.23, 1.85, 0.54, 0.48, and 0.84 ng/L for DMA, MMA, p-ASA, iAs, 4-OH, PAA, ROX, with the relative standard deviations (c = 10 ng/L, n = 7) of 3.6, 3.9, 5.5, 12.4, 6.1, 5.8, 5.0, respectively. The accuracy of the method was validated by analyzing BCR 627 Tuna fish. The application potential of the method was further evaluated by chicken muscle and liver samples. No target arsenic species were detected in these samples, and good recoveries (80.6–123%) were obtained for the spiked samples at low, medium, and high concentration levels.     

Determination of organophosphate flame retardants in soil and fish using ultrasound‐assisted extraction,solid‐phase clean‐up,and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

A solid–liquid extraction method in combination with high‐performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry was developed and optimized for extraction and analysis of organophosphorus flame retardants in soil and fish. Methanol was chosen as the optimum extraction solvent, not only in terms of extraction efficiency, but also for its broader analyte coverage. The subsequent clean‐up by solid‐phase extraction is required to eliminate matrix coextractives and reduce matrix effects. Recoveries of the optimized method were 50–121% for soil and 47–123% for biota, both with high precision (RSDs <12% in soil and <23% in biota). The method limits of detection ranged from 0.06 to 0.20 ng/g dry weight and between 0.02 and 0.30 ng/g wet weight for soil and biota samples, respectively. However, samples with a high lipid content produce several problems as solid‐phase extraction cartridge clogging that increase variability and analysis time. The method was successfully applied for the determination of organophosphorus flame retardants in soil and fish from L'Albufera Natural Park (Valencia, Spain). Target compounds were detected in all soil and fish samples with values varying from 13.8 to 89.7 ng/g dry weight and from 3.3 to 53.0 ng/g wet weight, respectively.     

One‐step synthesized magnetic MIL‐101(Cr) for effective extraction of triazine herbicides from rice prior to determination by liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry

The magnetic metal‐organic framework MIL‐101(Cr) material‐based solid‐phase extraction method coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry was applied to extract seven triazine herbicides in rices. Fe₃O₄/MIL‐101(Cr) was synthesized using reduction‐precipitation method, in which steps including pre‐synthesis and modification of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were by‐passed. Various parameters including extraction solvent type and volume, ultrasonic extraction time, amount of Fe₃O₄/MIL‐101(Cr) microspheres, adsorption time, desorption volume and time were investigated. Under optimal conditions, the proposed method had the limit of detection (S/N = 3) and the limit of quantification (S/N = 10) of 1.08–18.10 and 3.60–60.20 pg/g, respectively. Relative standard deviations calculated for all herbicides with concentrations of 2 and 20 ng/g were in the range of 0.5 to 13% (n = 3). In addition, at the two above‐mentioned concentrations, the method achieved relative recoveries percentages of 79.3 to 116.7% when applied to determine the triazine herbicides in real samples spiked. This rapid, green, non‐polluting, pre‐concentrated extraction method was successfully developed and applied to analyze herbicides in rice samples.     

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.     

Trace determination of five triazole fungicide residues in traditional Chinese medicine samples by dispersive solid‐phase extraction combined with ultrasound‐assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and UHPLC–MS/MS

A novel and reliable method for determination of five triazole fungicide residues (triadimenol, tebuconazole, diniconazole, flutriafol, and hexaconazol) in traditional Chinese medicine samples was developed using dispersive solid‐phase extraction combined with ultrasound‐assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction before ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. The clean up of the extract was conducted using dispersive solid‐phase extraction by directly adding sorbents into the extraction solution, followed by shaking and centrifugation. After that, a mixture of 400 μL trichloromethane (extraction solvent) and 0.5 mL of the above supernatant was injected rapidly into water for the dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction procedure. The factors affecting the extraction efficiency were optimized. Under the optimum conditions, the calibration curves showed good linearity in the range of 2.0–400 (tebuconazole, diniconazole, and hexaconazole) and 4.0–800 ng/g (triadimenol and flutriafol) with the regression coefficients higher than 0.9958. The limit of detection and limit of quantification for the present method were 0.5–1.1 and 1.8–4.0 ng/g, respectively. The recoveries of the target analytes ranged from 80.2 to 103.2%. The proposed method has been successfully applied to the analysis of five triazole fungicides in traditional Chinese medicine samples, and satisfactory results were obtained.     

Application of magnetized MOF‐74 to phthalate esters extraction from Chinese liquor

In this study, magnetized MOF‐74 (Ni) was prepared using an ultrasound‐assisted synthesis method. This novel functional magnetic adsorbent was characterized using various techniques. Using the prepared material as adsorbents, a magnetic solid‐phase extraction method coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography was proposed for determining four phthalate esters in Chinese liquor samples. The extraction parameters, including solution pH, adsorbent amount, extraction time, and eluent type and volume, were optimized. Under the optimized conditions, proposed method showed good linearity within the range of 1.53–200 μg/L for diphenyl phthalate, 2.03–200 μg/L for butyl benzyl phthalate, 7.02–200 μg/L for diamyl phthalate, and 6.03–200 μg/L for dicyclohexyl phthalate, with correlation coefficients > 0.9944, low limits of detection (0.46–2.10 μg/L, S/N = 3), and good extraction repeatability (relative standard deviations of 3.7%, n = 6). This method was successfully used to analyze phthalate esters in Chinese liquor samples with recoveries of 74.4–104.8%. Two phthalate esters were detected in two samples, both at concentrations that satisfied the Chinese national standard, indicating this method has practical application prospects. The extraction efficiency of this method was also compared with conventional solid‐phase extraction using commercial C₁₈ cartridges. The results demonstrated that the proposed magnetic solid‐phase extraction is a simple, time‐saving, efficient, and low‐cost method.     

Preparation of a magnetic porous carbon with hierarchical structures from waste biomass for the extraction of some carbamates

In this study, corn stalk was used to synthesize a magnetic adsorbent by pyrolysis together with KHCO₃ as the chemical activator and iron(III) salt as the magnetic reagent. The characterization by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and N₂ adsorption–desorption analysis showed that the magnetic carbon adsorbent had a structure of hierarchical pores with a high specific surface area. To evaluate its adsorption performance, the adsorbent was used for the extraction of carbamates pesticides (propoxur, isoprocarb and fenobucarb) from water and zucchini samples before high‐performance liquid chromatography analysis. The result showed that the adsorbent had a good adsorption capability for the analytes. Under the optimized conditions, a good linearity for the analytes existed in the range of 0.1–100.0 ng/mL for water samples and 0.5–100.0 ng/g for zucchini samples with the correlation coefficients of 0.9992–0.9998. The limits of detection for the analytes at a signal to noise ratio of 3 were 0.03 ng/mL for water samples and 0.20–0.50 ng/g for zucchini samples.     

Simultaneous screening and quantification of aminoglycoside antibiotics in honey using mixed‐mode liquid chromatography with quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectroscopy with heated electrospray ionization

An analytical method based on liquid chromatography with quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry has been developed for the simultaneous determination of six aminoglycoside antibiotics in honey. The sample pretreatment included extraction with aqueous trichloroacetic acid followed by solid‐phase extraction on Strata‐X polymeric reversed phase cartridges. Liquid chromatography separation was performed on an Obelisc R zwitterionic type mixed‐mode column. An ionBooster™ heated electrospray source was used and showed enhanced ionization efficiency in comparison to a conventional electrospray source. The observed signal enhancement ranged from 3‐ (neomycin) to 16‐fold (gentamicin C1). A data‐dependent mass spectrometry acquisition approach was employed, in which the full mass spectrometry dataset provided quantification and a scheduled precursor list was used to trigger an alternating data‐dependent acquisition of MS² spectra for confirmation purposes. The described method was validated in accordance to CD 2002/657/EC. Decision limit values were in the range 11.2–33.6 ng/g, and satisfactory performance characteristics were obtained for recovery (65–76%), repeatability (3.8–7.3%), and linearity (≥0.995). The method was applied to the analysis of 49 real honey samples from the country of Georgia. Streptomycin was detected in two samples at 117 and 35 ng/g, and gentamicin C1 was detected in one sample at 32 ng/g.     

Speciation analysis of mercury by dispersive solid‐phase extraction coupled with capillary electrophoresis

A pretreatment method of dispersive solid‐phase extraction (DSPE) along with back‐extraction followed by CE‐UV detector was developed for the determination of mercury species in water samples. Sulfhydryl‐functionalized SiO₂ microspheres (SiO₂−SH) were synthesized and used as DSPE adsorbents for selective extraction and enrichment of three organic mercury species namely ethylmercury (EtHg), methylmercury (MeHg), and phenylmercury (PhHg), along with L‐cysteine (L‐cys) containing hydrochloric acid as back‐extraction solvent. Several main extraction parameters were systematically investigated including sample pH, amount of adsorbent, extraction and back‐extraction time, volume of eluent, and concentration of hydrochloric acid. Under optimal conditions, good linearity was achieved with correlation coefficients over 0.9990, in the range of 4−200 μg/L for EtHg, and 2−200 μg/L for MeHg and PhHg. The LODs were obtained of 1.07, 0.34, and 0.24 μg/L for EtHg, MeHg, and PhHg, respectively, as well as the LOQs were 3.57, 1.13, and 0.79 μg/L, respectively, with enrichment factors ranging from 109 to 184. Recoveries were attained with tap and lake water samples in a range of 62.3−107.2%, with relative standard deviations of 3.5–10.1%. The results proved that the method of SiO₂−SH based DSPE coupled with CE‐UV was a simple, rapid, cost‐effective, and eco‐friendly alternative for the determination of mercury species in water samples.     

Total arsenic determination and speciation in infant food products by ion chromatography-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry

Health risk associated with dietary arsenic intake may be different for infants and adults. Seafood is the main contributor to arsenic intake for adults while terrestrial-based food is the primary source for infants. Processed infant food products such as rice-based cereals, mixed rice/formula cereals, milk-based infant formula, applesauce and puree of peaches, pears, carrots, sweet potatoes, green beans, and squash were evaluated for total and speciated arsenic content. Arsenic concentrations found in rice-based cereals (63-320 ng/g dry weight) were similar to those reported for raw rice. Results for the analysis of powdered infant formula by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) indicated a narrow and low arsenic concentration range (12 to 17 ng/g). Arsenic content in puree infant food products, including rice cereals, fruits, and vegetables, varies from <1 to 24 ng/g wet weight. Sample treatment with trifluoroacetic acid at 100 degrees C were an efficient and mild method for extraction of arsenic species present in different food matrixes as compared to alternative methods that included sonication and accelerated solvent extraction. Extraction recoveries from 94 to 128% were obtained when the summation of species was compared to total arsenic. The ion chromatography (IC)-ICP-MS method selected for arsenic speciation allowed for the quantitative determination of inorganic arsenic [As(III) + As(V)], dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), and methylarsonic acid (MMA). Inorganic arsenic and DMA are the main species found in rice-based and mixed rice/formula cereals, although traces of MMA were also detected. Inorganic arsenic was present in freeze-dried sweet potatoes, carrots, green beans, and peaches. MMA and DMA were not detected in these samples. Arsenic species in squash, pears, and applesauce were not detected above the method detection limit [5 ng/g dry weight for As(III), MMA, and DMA and 10 ng/g dry weight for As(V)].     

Application of dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for the preconcentration of eight parabens in real samples and their determination by high‐performance liquid chromatography

A simple and sensitive method for the simultaneous determination of eight parabens in human plasma and urine samples was developed. The samples were preconcentrated using dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction based on the solidification of floating organic drops and determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. The influence of variables affecting the extraction efficiency was investigated and optimized using Placket–Burman design and Box–Behnken design. The optimized values were: 58 μL of 1‐decanol (as extraction solvent), 0.65 mL methanol (as disperser solvent), 1.5% w/v NaCl in 5.0 mL of sample solution, pH 10.6, and 4.0 min centrifugation at 4000 rpm. The extract was injected into the high‐performance liquid chromatography system for analysis. Under the optimum conditions, the linear ranges for eight parabens in plasma and urine were 1.0–1000 ng/mL, with correlation coefficients above 0.994. The limit of detection was 0.2–0.4 and 0.1–0.4 ng/mL for plasma and urine samples, respectively. Relative recoveries were between 80.3 and 110.7%, while relative standard deviations were less than 5.4%. Finally, the method was applied to analyze the parabens in 98 patients of primary breast cancer. Results showed that parabens existed widely, at least one paraben detected in 96.9% (95/98) of plasma samples and 98.0% (96/98) of urine samples.     

Loading controlled magnetic carbon dots for microwave‐assisted solid‐phase extraction: Preparation,extraction evaluation and applications in environmental aqueous samples

An adsorbent of carbon dot@poly(glycidyl methacrylate)@Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles has been developed for the microwave‐assisted magnetic solid‐phase extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in environmental aqueous samples prior to high‐performance liquid chromatography with UV/visible spectroscopy detection. Poly(glycidyl methacrylate) was synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization. The chain length and amount of carbon dots attached on them can be easily controlled through changing polymerization conditions, which contributes to tunable extraction performance. The successful fabrication of the nano‐adsorbent was confirmed by transmission electronic microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and vibrating sample magnetometry. The extraction performance of the adsorbent was evaluated by using polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as model analytes. The key factors influencing the extraction, such as microwave power, adsorption time, desorption time and desorption solvents were investigated in detail. Under the optimal conditions, the microwave‐assisted method afforded magnetic solid‐phase extraction with short extraction time, wide dynamic linear range (0.02–200 μg/L), good linearity (R² ≥ 98.57%) and low detection limits (20–90 ng/L) for model analytes. The adsorbent was successfully applied for analyzing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in environmental aqueous samples and the recoveries were in the range of 86.0–124.2%. Thus, the proposed method is a promising candidate for fast and reliable preconcentration of trace polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in real water samples.     

Preparation of dummy‐imprinted polymers by Pickering emulsion polymerization for the selective determination of seven bisphenols from sediment samples

The dummy molecularly imprinted polymers were prepared by Pickering emulsion polymerization. 4,4′‐(1‐Phenylethylidene) bisphenol was selected as the dummy template to avoid the leakage of the target bisphenols. The microsphere particles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and nitrogen adsorption–desorption measurements, demonstrating that the regular‐shaped and medium‐sized particles (40–70 μm) were obtained with a specific surface area of 355.759 m²/g and a total pore volume of 0.561 cm³/g. The molecular imprinting properties of the particles were evaluated by static adsorption and chromatographic evaluation experiments. The association constant and maximum adsorption amount of bisphenol A were 0.115 mmol/L and 3.327 μmol/g using Scatchard analysis. The microsphere particles were then used as a solid‐phase extraction sorbent for selective extraction of seven bisphenols. The method of dummy molecularly imprinted solid‐phase extraction coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography and diode array detection was successfully established for the extraction and determination of seven bisphenols from environmental sediment samples with method detection limits of 0.6–1.1 ng/g. Good recoveries (75.5–105.2%) for sediment samples at two spiking levels (500 and 250 ng/g) and reproducibility (RSDs < 7.7%, n = 3) were obtained.     

Primary secondary amine as a sorbent material in dispersive solid‐phase extraction clean‐up for the determination of indicator polychlorinated biphenyls in environmental water samples by gas chromatography with electron capture detection

A simple, rapid, and novel method has been developed and validated for determination of seven indicator polychlorinated biphenyls in water samples by gas chromatography with electron capture detection. 1 L of water samples containing 30 g of anhydrous sodium sulfate was first liquid–liquid extracted with an automated Jipad‐6XB vertical oscillator using n‐hexane/dichloromethane (1:1, v/v). The concentrated extract was cleaned up by dispersive solid‐phase extraction with 100 mg of primary secondary amine as sorbent material. The linearity of this method ranged from 1.25 to 100 μg/L, with regression coefficients ranging between 0.9994 and 0.9999. The limits of detection were in the ng/L level, ranging between 0.2 and 0.3 ng/L. The recoveries of seven spiked polychlorinated biphenyls with external calibration method at different concentration levels in tap water, lake water, and sea water were in the ranges of 85–112, 76–116, and 72–108%, respectively, and with relative standard deviations of 3.3–4.5, 3.4–5.6, and 3.1–4.8% (n =  5), respectively. The performance of the proposed method was compared with traditional liquid–liquid extraction and solid‐phase extraction clean‐up methods, and comparable efficiencies were obtained. It is concluded that this method can be successfully applied for the determination of polychlorinated biphenyls in different water samples.     

Electroless‐coated magnetic three‐dimensional graphene with silver nanoparticles used for the determination of pesticides in fruit samples

A new type of adsorbent composed of magnetic three‐dimensional graphene coated with silver nanoparticles was synthesized by an electroless technique and used in the magnetic solid‐phase extraction of selected pesticides (fenitrothion, chlorpyrifos, and hexaconazole) before gas chromatography with a micro‐electron capture detector. The adsorbent was characterized using Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, vibrating sample magnetometry, and field‐emission scanning electron microscopy. The important extraction parameters such as pH, adsorbent dose, extraction time, and desorption conditions were investigated. Under the optimal conditions, the analytical figures of merit were obtained as: linear dynamic range of 0.1–5 ng/g with determination coefficients of 0.991–0.996; limit of detection of 0.07–0.13 ng/g; limit of quantification of 0.242–0.448 ng/g; and the intraday and interday relative standard deviations (C = 5 ng/g, n = 3) were 3.8–8.7 and 6.6–8.9%, respectively. The developed method was successfully applied for analysis of the selected pesticides in tomato and grape with extraction recoveries in the range of 72.8–109.6%.     

Phytic acid induced three‐dimensional graphene for the enrichment of phthalate esters from bottled water and sports beverage samples

A three‐dimensional graphene was synthesized through a hydrothermal reaction of graphene oxide with phytic acid. The microstructure and morphology of the phytic acid induced three‐dimensional graphene were investigated by nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. With a large surface area and three‐dimensional structure, the graphene was used as the solid‐phase extraction adsorbent for the extraction of phthalate esters from bottled water and sports beverage samples before high‐performance liquid chromatographic analysis. The results indicated that the graphene was efficient for the solid‐phase extraction of phthalate esters. The limits of detection (S/N = 3) of the method for the analytes were 0.02–0.03 ng/mL for the water samples and 0.03–0.15 ng/mL for the sports beverage sample. The limits of quantitation (S/N = 9) for the analytes were 0.06–0.09 ng/mL for water samples and 0.09–0.45 ng/mL for sports beverage sample. The calibration curves for the phthalate esters by the method had a good linearity from 0.1 to 80.0 ng/mL with correlation coefficients larger than 0.9997. The recoveries of the analytes for the method fell in the range of 86.7–116.2% with the relative standard deviations between 1.5 and 6.8%.     

Preparation of magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer for dispersive solid‐phase extraction of valsartan and its determination by high‐performance liquid chromatography: Box‐Behnken design

In this work, core/shell magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles were synthesized for extraction and pre‐concentration of valsartan from different samples and then it was measured with high‐performance liquid chromatography. For preparation of molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles, Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were coated with tetraethyl orthosilicate and then functionalized with 3‐(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate. In the next step, molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles were synthesized under reflux and distillation conditions via polymerization of methacrylic acid, valsartan (as a template), azobisisobutyronitrile and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as cross linking. The properties of molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticle were investigated by FTIR spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and X‐ray diffraction. Box‐Behnken design with the aid of desirability function was used for optimizing the effect of variables such as the amounts of molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles, time of sonication, pH, and volume of methanol on the extraction percentage of valsartan. According to the obtained results, the affecting variables extraction condition were set as 10 mg of adsorbent, 16 min for sonication, pH = 5.5 and 0.6 mL methanol. The obtained linear response (r² > 0.995) was in the range of 0.005–10 µg/mL with detection limit 0.0012 µg/mLand extraction recovery was in the range of 92–95% with standard deviation less than 6% (n = 3).