Ionic Liquid-Based Dispersive Extraction and Separation of Phenolic Acids from Salicornia Herbacea L.

This study reports the application of a dispersive extraction method for the extraction and separation of phenolic acids from Salicornia Herbacea L. using silica-confined ionic liquids as the sorbent. A suitable sorbent for phenolic acid extraction and separation was first identified based on the adsorption behavior of phenolic acids on different silica-confined ionic liquids. The sample was then mixed with the optimized sorbent and solvent to achieve dispersive extraction. After transferring the supernatant to an empty cartridge, a solid phase extraction process was used to separate the three organic acids from other interferences. Through systematical optimization, the optimal conditions were obtained with high recovery rates of protocatechuic acid (98.1%), caffeic acid (89.4%), and ferulic acid (92.2%). Overall, the proposed method expected to have wide applicability.     

Combined Application of Ionic Liquid and Hybrid Poly (Ionic Liquid)-Bonded Silica: An Alternative Method for Extraction,Separation and Determination of Flavonoids from Plants

Hybrid poly (ionic liquid)-bonded silica was combined with an ionic liquid solution for the extraction, separation, and determination of flavonoids from natural plants by using a multi-phase dispersive extraction (MPDE) method. The hybrid material was synthesized using a facile method. A suitable sorbent was identified based on the adsorption behaviors of flavonoids on different poly (ionic liquid)-bonded silicas. In contrast to traditional matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) method, the target analytes were first extracted by three-phase (sample-solvent-sorbent) dispersive extraction with ionic liquid (1-oxyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide) solutions as the solvent, and then cleaned up after removal from the sample matrix, called MPDE. This process combines the advantages of ionic liquids, ionic liquid-based sorbent, and MPDE. The recovery rates were achieved by MPDE of the flavonoids from Chamaecyparis obtusa: 76.4% for myricetin and 90.3% for amentoflavone. The proposed method may be used to extract and separate other flavonoids or even polyphenolic compounds from complex samples.     

Extraction of phenolic compounds from water samples by dispersive micro‐solid‐phase extraction

In this article, the use of magnetically separable sorbent polyaniline/silica‐coated nickel nanoparticles is evaluated under a dispersive micro‐solid‐phase extraction approach for the extraction of phenolic compounds from water samples. The sorbent was prepared by in situ chemical polymerization of aniline on the surface of silica‐modified nickel nanoparticles and was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectrometry, and vibrating sample magnetometry. Effective variables such as amount of sorbent (milligrams), pH and ionic strength of sample solution, volume of eluent solvent (microliters), vortex, and ultrasonic times (minutes) were investigated by fractional factorial design. The significant variables optimized by a Box–Behnken design were combined by a desirability function. Under the optimized conditions, the calibration graphs of analytes were linear in a concentration range of 0.02–100 μg/mL, and with correlation coefficients more than 0.999. The limits of detection and quantification were in the ranges of 10–23 and 33–77 μg/L, respectively. This procedure was successfully employed in the determination of target analytes in spiked water samples; the relative mean recoveries ranged from 96 to 105%.     

Preparation of a graphene oxide/silica composite modified with nitro‐substituted tris(indolyl)methane as a solid‐phase extraction sorbent for the extraction of organic acids

This paper describes the use of graphene oxide/silica modified with nitro‐substituted tris(indolyl)methane as a solid‐phase extraction sorbent for the determination of organic acids. The resultant graphene oxide/silica modified with nitro‐substituted tris(indolyl)methane was characterized by FTIR spectroscopy and adsorption experiments. Solid‐phase extraction parameters such as sorbent type, sample solution pH, sample loading rate, eluent salt concentration, eluent methanol concentration, elution rate, sample loading, and elution volume were optimized. The method showed good precision, accuracy, sensitivity, and linear response for organic acids analysis over a concentration range of 1–100 μg/L for benzoic acid, p‐methoxybenzoic acid, and salicylic acid and 5–100 μg/L for the remaining organic acids (cinnamic acid, p‐chlorobenzoic acid, and p‐bromobenzoic acid) with coefficients of determination (r²) of higher than 0.9957. Limits of detection from 0.50 to 1.0 μg/L for six organic acids were achieved. The developed method was successfully applied to determine organic acids in real samples.     

Solid phase extraction of lactic acid from fermentation broth by anion-exchangeable silica confined ionic liquids

Three anion-exchangeable, silica-confined ionic liquids were synthesized for solid phase extraction of lactic acid from fermentation broth, followed by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to ultraviolet detection. By comparing the adsorption isotherms of lactic acid on different silica-confined ionic liquids, interactions between the lactic acid and sorbents were investigated. The adsorbed amounts were then fitted into different adsorption isotherm equations; finally, the Langmuir equation was selected. Then the imidazolium silica with the highest adsorption capacity of lactic acid was packed into a cartridge for solid phase extraction. The loading volume of the cartridge was optimized by the Langmuir equation and geometry. After washing with distilled water and eluting with 0.25 mol L⁻¹ of an HCl solution, the lactic acid was separated from interference with a recovery yield of 91.9%. Furthermore, this kind of anion-exchangeable material exhibited potential for industrial applications and separation of other anionic bioactive compounds.     

Molecularly imprinted polymer based on magnetic ionic liquid for solid-phase extraction of phenolic acids

In this study, 1-allyl-3-octylimidazolium tetrachloroferrate ionic liquid was first synthesized. Molecularly imprinted polymer was prepared by suspension polymerization using 1-allyl-3-octylimidazolium tetrachloroferrate as functional monomer and chlorogenic acid as template molecule. The polymer was characterized by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Thermal stability of the polymer was investigated. The solid-phase extraction method based on magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer was developed for gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, p-coumaric acid, and ferulic acid. The sample pH, the type and volume of stripping solution, sorbent amount, and extraction time were optimized for phenolic acids. The analysis of phenolic acids after extraction was carried out using high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. Limit of detection, limit of quantification, linear range, correlation coefficient, and reproducibilities of within-day and between-day for phenolic acids were determined. The residues of phenolic acids in apple samples were successfully detected by the developed method. Recovery of standard spiked apple samples was ≥81 for all the phenolic acids.     

Application of an ampholine‐functionalized hybrid organic–inorganic silica material for the SPE of aromatic amines

An SPE cartridge based on an ampholine‐functionalized hybrid organic–inorganic silica sorbent has been adopted for the analysis of aromatic amines including 4‐aminobiphenyl, benzidine, 2‐naphthylamine, p‐chloroaniline, 2,4,5‐trimethylaniline, and 3,3′‐dichlorobenzidine. Crucial variables governing the extraction efficiency of the material such as the pH of sample, sample loading volume, solvent used for elution, and elution volume have been thoroughly optimized. The adsorption capacities for the six aromatic amines ranged from 0.17 to 1.82 μg/mg. The recoveries of aromatic amines spiked in textile samples ranged from 78.9 to 103.0%, with RSDs of 1.1–11.9% (n = 3). Moreover, the extraction efficiency of the ampholine‐functionalized hybrid organic–inorganic silica sorbent was at least comparable with that of Oasis WCX.     

Molecularly imprinted SPE coupled with HPLC for the selective separation and enrichment of alkyl imidazolium ionic liquids in environmental water samples

A novel 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride ionic liquid surface imprinted solid‐phase sorbent was synthesized. The as‐prepared material was characterized by SEM, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area analysis and Fourier Transform IR measurements. Then its adsorption properties for alkyl imidazolium ionic liquids, including adsorption capacities, adsorption kinetics, and properties of selective separation and enrichment were studied in detail. It was shown that the ionic liquid surface imprinted polymer exhibited high selective recognition characteristics for the imidazolium chloride ionic liquids with short alkyl chains (C_nmimCl, n = 2, 4, 6, 8) and the adsorption equilibrium was achieved within 25 min. Various parameters were optimized for the 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride ionic liquid surface imprinted polymer SPE column, such as flow rate, eluent solvent, selectivity, and reusability of the column. Then, the SPE column coupled with HPLC was used for the determination of alkyl imidazolium ionic liquids. Experimental results showed that the existence of their structural analogs and common concomitants in environmental matrices did not affect the enrichment of 1‐butyl‐3‐methyl imidazolium chloride ionic liquid. The average recoveries of 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride ionic liquid in spiked water samples were in the range of 92.0–102.0% with the RSD lower than 5.8%.     

Hydrophilic solid‐phase extraction of melamine with ampholine‐modified hybrid organic–inorganic silica material

In this work, an ampholine‐functionalized hybrid organic–inorganic silica sorbent was successfully used to extract melamine from a milk formula sample by a hydrophilic interaction solid‐phase extraction protocol. Primary factors affecting the extraction efficiency of the material such as extraction solvent, elution solvent, sample loading volume, and elution volume have been thoroughly optimized. Under the optimized hydrophilic solid‐phase extraction conditions, the recoveries of melamine spiked in milk formula samples ranged from 86.2 to 101.8% with relative standard deviations of 4.1–9.4% (n = 3). The limit of detection (S/N = 3) was 0.32 μg/g. The adsorption capacity toward melamine was 30 μg of melamine per grams of sorbent. Due to its simplicity, rapidity and cost effectiveness, the newly developed hydrophilic solid‐phase extraction method should provide a promising tool for daily monitoring of doped melamine in milk formula.     

Quantitative determination of trace phenazopyridine in human urine samples by hyphenation of dispersive solid‐phase extraction and liquid‐phase microextraction followed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis

Magnetic dispersive solid‐phase extraction followed by dispersive liquid?liquid microextraction coupled with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry was applied for the quantitative analysis of phenazopyridine in urinary samples. Magnetic dispersive solid‐phase extraction was carried out using magnetic graphene oxide nanoparticles modified by poly(thiophene‐pyrrole) copolymer. The eluting solvent of this step was used as the disperser solvent for the dispersive liquid?liquid microextraction procedure. To reach the maximum efficiency of the method, effective parameters including sorbent amount, adsorption time, type and volume of disperser and extraction solvents, pH of the sample solution, and ionic strength as well as desorption time, and approach were optimized, separately. Characterization of the synthesized sorbent was studied by utilizing infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis. Calibration curve was linear in the range of 0.5?250 ng/mL (R² = 0.9988) with limits of detection and quantification of 0.1 and 0.5 ng/mL, respectively. Intra‐ and interday precisions (RSD%, n = 3) of the method were in the range of 4.6?5.4% and 4.0?5.5%, respectively, at three different concentration levels. Under the optimal condition, this method was successfully applied for the determination of phenazopyridine in human urine samples. The relative recoveries were obtained in the range of 85.0?89.0%.     

Separation of phenolic acids from sugarcane rind by online solid‐phase extraction with high‐speed counter‐current chromatography

Sugarcane rind contains some functional phenolic acids. The separation of these compounds from sugarcane rind is able to realize the integrated utilization of the crop and reduce environment pollution. In this paper, a novel protocol based on interfacing online solid‐phase extraction with high‐speed counter‐current chromatography (HSCCC) was established, aiming at improving and simplifying the process of phenolic acids separation from sugarcane rind. The conditions of online solid‐phase extraction with HSCCC involving solvent system, flow rate of mobile phase as well as saturated extent of absorption of solid‐phase extraction were optimized to improve extraction efficiency and reduce separation time. The separation of phenolic acids was performed with a two‐phase solvent system composed of butanol/acetic acid/water at a volume ratio of 4:1:5, and the developed online solid‐phase extraction with HSCCC method was validated and successfully applied for sugarcane rind, and three phenolic acids including 6.73 mg of gallic acid, 10.85 mg of p‐coumaric acid, and 2.78 mg of ferulic acid with purities of 60.2, 95.4, and 84%, respectively, were obtained from 150 mg sugarcane rind crude extracts. In addition, the three different elution methods of phenolic acids purification including HSCCC, elution–extrusion counter‐current chromatography and back‐extrusion counter‐current chromatography were compared.     

Microwave‐assisted preparation of poly(ionic liquids)‐modified magnetic nanoparticles for pesticide extraction

Novel poly(ionic liquids) were synthesized and immobilized on prepared magnetic nanoparticles, which were used to extract pesticides from fruit and vegetable samples by dispersive solid‐phase extraction prior to high‐performance liquid chromatography analysis. Compared with monomeric ionic liquids, poly(ionic liquids) have a larger effective contact area and higher viscosity, so they can achieve higher extraction efficiency and be used repeatedly without a decrease in analyte recovery. The immobilized poly(ionic liquids) were rapidly separated from the sample matrix, providing a simple approach for sample pretreatment. The nature and volume of the desorption solvent and amount of poly(ionic liquid)‐modified magnetic material were optimized for the extraction process. Under optimum conditions, calibration curves were linear (R² > 0.9988) for pesticide concentrations in the range of 0.100–10.000 μg/L. The relative standard deviations for repeated determinations of the four analytes were 2.29–3.31%. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.29–0.88 and 0.97–2.93 μg/L, respectively. Our results demonstrate that the developed poly(ionic liquid)‐modified material is an effective absorbent to extract pesticides from fruit and vegetable samples.     

Dispersive micro‐solid‐phase extraction of benzoylurea insecticides in honey samples with a β‐cyclodextrin‐modified attapulgite composite as sorbent

A β‐cyclodextrin‐modified attapulgite composite was prepared and used as a dispersive micro‐solid‐phase extraction sorbent for the determination of benzoylurea insecticides in honey samples. Parameters that may influence the extraction efficiency, such as the type and volume of the eluent, the amount of the sorbent, the extraction time and the ionic strength were investigated and optimized using batch and column procedures. Under optimized conditions, good linearity was obtained for all of the tested compounds, with R² values of at least 0.9834. The limits of detection were determined in the range of 0.2–1.0 μg/L. The recoveries of the four benzoylurea insecticides in vitex honey and acacia honey increased from 15.2 to 81.4% and from 14.2 to 82.0%, respectively. Although the β‐cyclodextrin‐modified attapulgite composite did not show a brilliant adsorption capacity for the selected benzoylurea insecticides, it exhibited a higher adsorption capacity toward relatively hydrophobic compounds, such as chlorfluazuron and hexaflumuron (recoveries in vitex honey samples ranged from 70.0 to 81.4% with a precision of 1.0–3.7%). It seemed that the logP_ow of the benzoylurea insecticides is related to their recoveries. The results confirmed the possibility of using cyclodextrin‐modified palygorskite in the determination of relatively hydrophobic trace pharmaceutical residues.     

Simultaneous determination of phenolic compounds in Equisetum palustre L. by ultra high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry combined with matrix solid‐phase dispersion extraction

A method based on matrix solid‐phase dispersion extraction followed by ultra high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry is presented for the extraction and determination of phenolic compounds in Equisetum palustre. This method combines the high efficiency of matrix solid‐phase dispersion extraction and the rapidity, sensitivity, and accuracy of ultra high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. The influential parameters of the matrix solid‐phase dispersion extraction were investigated and optimized. The optimized conditions were as follows: silica gel was selected as dispersing sorbent, the ratio of silica gel to sample was selected to be 2:1 (400/200 mg), and 8 mL of 80% methanol was used as elution solvent. Furthermore, a fast and sensitive ultra high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for the determination of nine phenolic compounds in E. palustre. This method was carried out within <6 min, and exhibited satisfactory linearity, precision, and recovery. Compared with ultrasound‐assisted extraction, the proposed matrix solid‐phase dispersion procedure possessed higher extraction efficiency, and was more convenient and time saving with reduced requirements on sample and solvent amounts. All these results suggest that the developed method represents an excellent alternative for the extraction and determination of active components in plant matrices.     

Polyethyleneimine‐modified porous aromatic framework and silane coupling agent grafted graphene oxide composite materials for determination of phenolic acids in Chinese Wolfberry drink by HPLC

A simple method for the determination of phenolic acids in Chinese Wolfberry drink based on polyethyleneimine modified porous aromatic framework and graphene oxide composite sorbent for pipette‐tip solid‐phase extraction was developed. Porous aromatic framework and raphene oxide composite materials were grafted by silane coupling agent (3‐Chloropropyl)‐trimethoxysilane. The modified materials were characterized by five kinds of characterization. Experimental results showed that the prepared p‐phenylenediamine, cyanuric chloride, and graphene oxide composite material had a loose structure combined with the framework which improved hydrophobicity, and polyethyleneimine to increase the selectivity with the targets. The parameters of the pipette‐tip solid‐phase extraction procedure including the amount of sorbents, volumes and types of washing solvents and elution solvents were optimized to achieve optimal extraction efficiency. Good linearity of best material was achieved in the range of 0.1–400 µg/mL with correlation coefficient of chlorogenic acid (0.9994), caffeic acid (0.9997), and ferulic acid (0.9998). Recoveries between 93.5 and 102.3% were obtained at three spiked levels with relative standard deviation ≤3.1%. The proposed method was successfully applied for the determination of phenolic acids in Chinese Wolfberry drink sample.     

Fast and comprehensive analysis of secondary metabolites in cocoa products using ultra high‐performance liquid chromatography directly after pressurized liquid extraction

Fast methods for the extraction and analysis of various secondary metabolites from cocoa products were developed and optimized regarding speed and separation efficiency. Extraction by pressurized liquid extraction is automated and the extracts are analyzed by rapid reversed‐phase ultra high‐performance liquid chromatography and normal‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography methods. After extraction, no further sample treatment is required before chromatographic analysis. The analytes comprise monomeric and oligomeric flavanols, flavonols, methylxanthins, N‐phenylpropenoyl amino acids, and phenolic acids. Polyphenols and N‐phenylpropenoyl amino acids are separated in a single run of 33 min, procyanidins are analyzed by normal‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography within 16 min, and methylxanthins require only 6 min total run time. A fourth method is suitable for phenolic acids, but only protocatechuic acid was found in relevant quantities. The optimized methods were validated and applied to 27 dark chocolates, one milk chocolate, two cocoa powders and two food supplements based on cocoa extract.     

Magnetic amino‐functionalized hollow silica‐titania microsphere as an efficient sorbent for extraction of pesticides in green and roasted coffee beans

This study describes the synthesis and application of a magnetic amino‐functionalized hollow silica‐titania microsphere as a new sorbent for magnetic dispersive micro‐solid phase extraction of selected pesticides in coffee bean samples. The sorbent was fully characterized by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transition electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometry techniques. Significant extraction parameters affecting the proposed method, such as extraction time, sorbent amount, sample solution pH, salt amount, and desorption conditions (desorption solvent and time) were investigated and optimized. All the figures of merits were validated in coffee bean samples under the matrix‐matched calibration method. Linear dynamic ranges were 5–250 µg/kg with the determination coefficients (R²) > 0.9980. The limits of detection for the pesticides of chlorpyrifos, malathion, hexaconazole, and atrazine were 1.42, 1.43, 1.35, and 1.33 µg/kg, respectively. Finally, the method was successfully applied for the determination of the pesticides in green and roasted coffee bean samples, and the obtained recoveries were in the range of 74–113% for spiked samples. The prepared sorbent could be used for the magnetic dispersive micro‐solid phase extraction of pesticides in the plant‐derived food matrix.     

Determination of haloacetic acids in water using layered double hydroxides as a sorbent in dispersive solid‐phase extraction followed by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

In the present study, highly efficient and simple dispersive solid‐phase extraction procedure for the determination of haloacetic acids in water samples has been established. Three different types of layered double hydroxides were synthesized and used as a sorbent in dispersive solid‐phase extraction. Due to the interesting behavior of layered double hydroxides in an acidic medium (pH?4), the analyte elution step was not needed; the layered double hydroxides are simply dissolved in acid immediately after extraction to release the analytes which are then directly introduced into a liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry system for analysis. Several dispersive solid‐phase extraction parameters were optimized to increase the extraction efficiency of haloacetic acids such as temperature, extraction time and pH. Under optimum conditions, good linearity was achieved over the concentration range of 0.05–100 μg/L with detection limits in the range of 0.006–0.05 μg/L. The relative standard deviations were 0.33–3.64% (n = 6). The proposed method was applied to different water samples collected from a drinking water plant to determine the concentrations of haloacetic acids.     

Preparation of l‐phenylalanine‐imprinted solid‐phase extraction sorbent by Pickering emulsion polymerization and the selective enrichment of l‐phenylalanine from human urine

A novel l‐ phenylalanine molecularly imprinted solid‐phase extraction sorbent was synthesized by the combination of Pickering emulsion polymerization and ion‐pair dummy template imprinting. Compared to other polymerization methods, the molecularly imprinted polymers thus prepared exhibit a high specific surface, large pore diameter, and appropriate particle size. The key parameters for solid‐phase extraction were optimized, and the result indicated that the molecularly imprinted polymer thus prepared exhibits a good recovery of 98.9% for l‐ phenylalanine. Under the optimized conditions of the procedure, an analytical method for l‐ phenylalanine was well established. By comparing the performance of the molecularly imprinted polymer and a commercial reverse‐phase silica gel, the obtained molecularly imprinted polymer as an solid‐phase extraction sorbent is more suitable, exhibiting high precision (relative standard deviation 3.2%, n = 4) and a low limit of detection (60.0 ± 1.9 nmol·L^?1) for the isolation of l‐ phenylalanine. Based on these results, the combination of the Pickering emulsion polymerization and ion‐pair dummy template imprinting is effective for preparing selective solid‐phase extraction sorbents for the separation of amino acids and organic acids from complex biological samples.