Solid‐based disperser liquid–liquid microextraction for the preconcentration of phthalate esters and di‐(2‐ethylhexyl) adipate followed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection or mass spectrometry

A new approach for the development of a dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction followed by GC with flame ionization detection was proposed for the determination of phthalate esters and di‐(2‐ethylhexyl) adipate in aqueous samples. In the proposed method, solid and liquid phases were used as the disperser and extractant, respectively, providing a simple and fast mode for the extraction of the analytes into a small volume of an organic solvent. In this method, microliter levels of an extraction solvent was added onto a sugar cube and it was transferred into the aqueous phase containing the analytes. By manual shaking, the sugar was dissolved and the extractant was released into the aqueous phase as very tiny droplets to provide a cloudy solution. Under optimized conditions, the proposed method showed good precision (RSD less than 5.2%), high enrichment factors (266–556), and low LODs (0.09–0.25 μg/L). The method was successfully applied for the determination of the target analytes in different samples, and good recoveries (71–103%) were achieved for the spiked samples. No need for a disperser solvent and higher enrichment factors compared with conventional dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and low cost and short sample preparation time are other advantages of the method.     

Sensitive determination of methadone in human serum and urine by dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction based on the solidification of a floating organic droplet followed by HPLC–UV

Dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction based on solidification of floating organic droplet was developed for the extraction of methadone and determination by high‐performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. In this method, no microsyringe or fiber is required to support the organic microdrop due to the usage of an organic solvent with a low density and appropriate melting point. Furthermore, the extractant droplet can be collected easily by solidifying it at low temperature. 1‐Undecanol and methanol were chosen as extraction and disperser solvents, respectively. Parameters that influence extraction efficiency, i.e. volumes of extracting and dispersing solvents, pH, and salt effect, were optimized by using response surface methodology. Under optimal conditions, enrichment factor for methadone was 134 and 160 in serum and urine samples, respectively. The limit of detection was 3.34 ng/mmL in serum and 1.67 ng/mL in urine samples. Compared with the traditional dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction, the proposed method obtained lower limit of detection. Moreover, the solidification of floating organic solvent facilitated the phase transfer. And most importantly, it avoided using high‐density and toxic solvents of traditional dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction method. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of methadone in serum and urine samples of an addicted individual under methadone therapy.     

Air‐assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction based on a new hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent for the preconcentration of benzophenone‐type UV filters from aqueous samples

Deep eutectic solvents are considered as new and green solvents that can be widely used in analytical chemistry such as microextraction. In the present work, a new dl‐ menthol‐based hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent was synthesized and used as extraction solvents in an air‐assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction method for preconcentration and extraction of benzophenone‐type UV filters from aqueous samples followed by high‐performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection. In an experiment, the deep eutectic solvent formed by dl‐ menthol and decanoic acid was added to an aqueous solution containing the UV filters, and then the mixture was sucked up and injected five times by using a glass syringe, and a cloudy state was achieved. After extraction, the solution was centrifuged and the upper phase was subjected to high‐performance liquid chromatography for analysis. Various parameters such as the type and volume of the deep eutectic solvent, number of pulling, and pushing cycles, solution pH and salt concentration were investigated and optimized. Under the optimum conditions, the developed method exhibited low limits of detection and limits of quantitation, good linearity, and precision. Finally, the proposed method was successfully applied to determine the benzophenone‐type filters in environmental water samples with relative recoveries of 88.8–105.9%.     

Preconcentration and determination of ceftazidime in real samples using dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and high‐performance liquid chromatography with the aid of experimental design

A rapid and simple method for the extraction and preconcentration of ceftazidime in aqueous samples has been developed using dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction followed by high‐performance liquid chromatography analysis. The extraction parameters, such as the volume of extraction solvent and disperser solvent, salt effect, sample volume, centrifuge rate, centrifuge time, extraction time, and temperature in the dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction process, were studied and optimized with the experimental design methods. Firstly, for the preliminary screening of the parameters the taguchi design was used and then, the fractional factorial design was used for significant factors optimization. At the optimum conditions, the calibration curves for ceftazidime indicated good linearity over the range of 0.001–10 μg/mL with correlation coefficients higher than the 0.98, and the limits of detection were 0.13 and 0.17 ng/mL, for water and urine samples, respectively. The proposed method successfully employed to determine ceftazidime in water and urine samples and good agreement between the experimental data and predictive values has been achieved.     

Extraction of vanadyl porphyrins in crude oil by inclusion dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and nano-baskets of calixarene

The novelties of this approach are introducing the self-settled dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction technique to remove the centrifuging step, conducting the dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction in complex organic systems, applicability of water as disperser phase, and inclusion microextraction of charged porphyrins by nano-baskets of calix[4]arenes, which act as the settling agents as well as the inclusion ligands. Diacid p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene in the cone conformation was synthesized and used. The related parameters including ligand concentration, volume of water disperser, salt effect, and extraction time were optimized. The linear range, detection limit (S/N?=?3) and precision (RSD, n?=?6) were determined to be 0.2–50, 0.07?μg?L^?1 and 5.3%, respectively. The established method was applied to determine the target compound in five samples of live crude oil, were sampled from an Iranian offshore field. Owing to the overall differences (such as organic media, inclusion extraction, water-soluble ligands, etc.), the comparison of the proposed method with the traditional liquid–liquid microextraction was inapplicable. These results revealed that the new approach is competitive analytical tool and an alternative of the traditional methods in the crude oil and related systems. Moreover, in those systems that the inclusion separation is not requested, it is possible to use a tertiary system including a proper extraction agent/solvent and calixarene phase, as settling agent, along with the aqueous disperser in the organic systems.     

Ionic liquid‐based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction followed by RP‐HPLC determination of saquinavir in rat serum: application to pharmacokinetics

An ionic liquid‐based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction followed by RP‐HPLC determination of the most commonly prescribed protease inhibitor, saquinavir, in rat plasma was developed and validated. The effects of different ionic liquids, dispersive solvents, extractant/disperser ratio and salt concentration on sample recovery and enrichment were studied. Among the ionic liquids investigated, 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate was found to be most effective for extraction of saquinavir from rat serum. The recovery was found to be 95% at an extractant/disperser ratio of 0.43 using 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate and methanol as extraction and dispersive solvents. The recovery was further enhanced to 99.5% by addition of 5.0% NaCl. A threefold enhancement in detection and quantification limits was achieved, at 0.01 and 0.03 µg/mL, compared with the conventional protein precipitation method. A linear relationship was observed in the range of 0.035–10.0 µg/mL with a correlation coefficient (r²) of 0.9996. The method was validated and applied to study pharmacokinetics of saquinavir in rat serum. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of aromatic amines from textiles using dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction

A dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction procedure coupled with GC‐MS is described for preconcentration and determination of banned aromatic amines from textile samples. Experimental conditions affecting the microextraction procedure were optimized. A mixture of 30 μL chlorobenzene (extraction solvent) and 800 μL ACN (disperser solvent), 5 min extraction time, and 5 mL aqueous sample volume were chosen for the best extraction efficiency by the proposed procedure. Satisfactory linearity (with correlation coefficients >0.9962) and repeatability (<9.78%) were obtained for all 20 aromatic amines; detection limits attained were much lower than the standardized liquid–liquid method. The proposed method has advantages of being quicker and easier to operate, and lower consumption of organic solvent.     

Determination of rifaximin in rat serum by ionic liquid based dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction combined with RP-HPLC

An efficient and environmental friendly ionic liquid based dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction procedure was optimized for determination of rifaximin in rat serum by reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The effect of ionic liquids, dispersive solvents, extractant/disperser ratio, and salt concentrations on sample recovery and enrichment factors were studied. Among the five ionic liquids studied in the present investigation, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate was found to be most effective for extraction of rifaximin. The recovery was found to be more than 98% using 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate and methanol as extraction and dispersive solvents, at an extractant/disperser ratio of 0.43. The recovery was further enhanced to 99.5% by the addition of 5.0% NaCl solution. A threefold enhancement in detection limit was achieved when compared to protein precipitation. The ionic liquid containing the extracted rifaximin was directly injected into HPLC system. The linear relationship was observed in the range of 0.03-10.0 μg/mL with the correlation coefficient (r(2) ) 0.9998. Limits of detection and quantification were found to be 0.01 and 0.03 μg/mL, respectively. The relative standard deviation was 2.5%. The method was validated and applied to study pharmacokinetics of rifaxmin in rat serum.     

Comparison of two ultrasound‐enhanced microextractions combined with HPLC for determining acaricides in water

An ultrasound‐enhanced in situ solvent formation microextraction has been developed first time and compared with ultrasound‐enhanced ionic‐liquid‐assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for the HPLC analysis of acaricides in environmental water samples. A ionic liquid ([C₈MIM][PF₆]) was used as the green extraction solvent through two pathways. The experimental parameters, such as the type and volume of both of the extraction solvent disperser solvent, ultrasonication time, and salt addition, were investigated and optimized. The analytical performance using the optimized conditions proved the feasibility of the developed methods for the quantitation of trace levels of acaricides by obtaining limits of detection that range from 0.54 to 3.68 μg/L. The in situ solvent formation microextraction method possesses more positive characteristics than the ionic‐liquid‐assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction method (except for spirodiclofen determination) when comparing the validation parameters. Both methods were successfully applied to determining acaricides in real water samples.     

Development of a new dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction method in a narrow-bore tube for preconcentration of triazole pesticides from aqueous samples

In the present work a new, simple, rapid and environmentally friendly dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) method has been developed for extraction/preconcentration of some triazole pesticides in aqueous samples and in grape juice. The extract was analyzed with gas chromatography–flame ionization detection (GC–FID) or gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The DLLME method was performed in a narrow-bore tube containing aqueous sample. Acetonitrile and a mixture of n-hexanol and n-hexane (75:25, v/v) were used as disperser and extraction solvents, respectively. The effect of several factors that influence performance of the method, including the chemical nature and volume of the disperser and extraction solvents, number of extraction, pH and salt addition, were investigated and optimized. Figures of merit such as linearity (r² > 0.995), enrichment factors (EFs) (263–380), limits of detection (0.3–5 μg L^?1) and quantification (0.9–16.7 μg L^?1), and relative standard deviations (3.2–5%) of the proposed method were satisfactory for determination of the model analytes. The method was successfully applied for determination of target pesticides in grape juice and good recoveries (74–99%) were achieved for spiked samples. As compared with the conventional DLLME, the proposed DLLME method showed higher EFs and less environmental hazards with no need for centrifuging.     

Development of a dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction method using a lighter‐than‐water ionic liquid for the analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water

A dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction method using a lighter‐than‐water phosphonium‐based ionic liquid for the extraction of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from water samples has been developed. The extracted compounds were analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled to fluorescence/diode array detectors. The effects of several experimental parameters on the extraction efficiency, such as type and volume of ionic liquid and disperser solvent, type and concentration of salt in the aqueous phase and extraction time, were investigated and optimized. Three phosphonium‐based ionic liquids were assayed, obtaining larger extraction efficiencies when trihexyl‐(tetradecyl)phosphonium bromide was used. The optimized methodology requires a few microliters of a lighter‐than‐water phosphonium‐based ionic liquid, which allows an easy separation of the extraction solvent phase. The obtained limits of detection were between 0.02 and 0.56 μg/L, enrichment factors between 109 and 228, recoveries between 60 and 108%, trueness between 0.4 and 9.9% and reproducibility values between 3 and 12% were obtained. These figures of merit combined with the simplicity, rapidity and low cost of the analytical methodology indicate that this is a viable and convenient alternative to the methods reported in the literature. The developed method was used to analyze polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in river water samples.     

Suitability of dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for the in situ silylation of chlorophenols in water samples before gas chromatography with mass spectrometry

Trace analysis of chlorophenols in water was performed by simultaneous silylation and dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction followed by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. Dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction was carried out using an organic solvent lighter than water (n‐hexane). The effect of different silylating reagents on the method efficiency was investigated. The influence of derivatization reagent volume, presence of catalyst and derivatization/extraction time on the yield of the derivatization reaction was studied. Different parameters affecting extraction efficiency such as kind and volume of extraction and disperser solvents, pH of the sample and addition of salt were also investigated and optimized. Under the optimum conditions, the calibration graphs were linear in the range of 0.05–100 ng/mL and the limit of detection was 0.01 ng/mL. The enrichment factors were 242, 351, and 363 for 4‐chlorophenol, 2,4‐dichlorophenol, and 2,4,6‐trichlorophenol, respectively. The values of intra‐ and inter‐day relative standard deviations were in the range of 3.0–6.4 and 6.1–9.9%, respectively. The applicability of the method was investigated by analyzing water and wastewater samples.     

Determination of Trace Methyl Tert‐Butyl Ether in Water Samples Using Dispersive Liquid‐Liquid Microextraction Coupled with GC‐FID

A rapid and sensitive analytical method has been developed for trace analysis of methyl tert‐butyl ether (MTBE) in water samples using dispersive liquid‐liquid microextraction and gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. Factors relevant to the microextraction efficiency, such as the kind of extraction solvent, the disperser solvent and their volumes, the effect of salt, sample solution temperature and the extraction time were investigated and optimized. Under the optimal conditions the linear dynamic range of MTBE was from 0.2 to 25.0 μg L^?1 with a correlation coefficient of 0.9981 and a detection limit of 0.1 μg L^?1. The relative standard deviation (RSD%) was less than 5.1% (n = 3) and the recovery values were in the range of 97.8 ± 0.9%. Finally, the proposed method was successfully applied for the analysis of MTBE in aqueous samples.     

Ultrapreconcentration and determination of organophosphorus pesticides in water by solid‐phase extraction combined with dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and high‐performance liquid chromatography

Solid‐phase extraction coupled with dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction was developed as an ultra‐preconcentration method for the determination of four organophosphorus pesticides (isocarbophos, parathion‐methyl, triazophos and fenitrothion) in water samples. The analytes considered in this study were rapidly extracted and concentrated from large volumes of aqueous solutions (100 mL) by solid‐phase extraction coupled with dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and then analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography. Experimental variables including type and volume of elution solvent, volume and flow rate of sample solution, salt concentration, type and volume of extraction solvent and sample solution pH were investigated for the solid‐phase extraction coupled with dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction with these analytes, and the best results were obtained using methanol as eluent and ethylene chloride as extraction solvent. Under the optimal conditions, an exhaustive extraction for four analytes (recoveries >86.9%) and high enrichment factors were attained. The limits of detection were between 0.021 and 0.15 μg/L. The relative standard deviations for 0.5 μg/L of the pesticides in water were in the range of 1.9–6.8% (n = 5). The proposed strategy offered the advantages of simple operation, high enrichment factor and sensitivity and was successfully applied to the determination of four organophosphorus pesticides in water samples.     

Characterization of Deep Eutectic Solvents for Dispersive Liquid–Liquid Microextraction for Phenolics

Dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction using deep eutectic solvents, as novel extraction solvents, was developed for the separation, preconcentration, and determination of chlorophenol, 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid, p-cresol, 4-chlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol in vegetable oil. Seven deep eutectic solvents composed of choline chloride and different hydrogen bond donors (ethyl glycol, glycerol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, urea, and acetic acid) were characterized. The deep eutectic solvents formed by choline chloride-1,6-hexanediol in a 1:2 molar ratio provided the highest extraction efficiency. The sonication time, deep eutectic solvent volume, and disperser solvent were optimized. Under the optimal conditions of a sonication time of 11?min, a deep eutectic solvent volume of 90?µL, and acetone as the disperser solvent, extraction recoveries from 76.1 to 88.3% were obtained with 8.46 to 9.46 enrichment factors and the limits of detection exceeding 0.1?µg/mL with the relative standard deviations from 1.0 to 3.5%. This method using dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction with deep eutectic solvents is simple and provides high enrichment.     

Combination of a modified quick,easy, cheap,efficient, rugged,and safe extraction method with a deep eutectic solvent based microwave‐assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction: Application in extraction and preconcentration of multiclass pesticide residues in tomato samples

In this study, a new two–step extraction procedure based on the combination of a modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe extraction method with a deep eutectic solvent based microwave‐assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction has been developed for the extraction of multiclass pesticides in tomato samples before their analysis by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. In this method, initially, an aliquot of tomato is crushed and diluted with deionized water. The mixture is then passed through a filter paper and its residue and aqueous phase are separated. Afterwards, acetonitrile as an extraction/disperser solvent is passed through the filter paper containing the refuse. The analytes remained in the refuse are extracted into the acetonitrile and then the obtained extract is mixed with a deep eutectic solvent. The obtained mixture is injected into the tomato juice and placed in a microwave oven for 15 s. Consequently, a cloudy state is formed and the extractant containing the analytes are sedimented at the bottom of the tube after centrifugation. Finally, 1 μL of the sedimented phase is removed and injected into the separation system. Under the optimum conditions, limits of detection and quantification were in the ranges of 0.42–0.74 and 1.4–2.5 ng/g, respectively.     

Dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction combined with acetonitrile stacking through capillary electrophoresis for the determination of three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor drugs in body fluids

Dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction was combined with acetonitrile stacking in capillary electrophoresis for the identification of three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (citalopram, fluoxetine, and fluvoxamine) in human fluids such as urine and plasma. Parameters that affect the extraction and stacking efficiency, such as the type and volume of the extraction and disperser solvent, extraction time, salt addition for dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction, and sample matrices, pH, and concentration of the separation buffer for stacking, were investigated and optimized. Under optimum conditions, the enrichment factors were in the range of 1195–1441. Limits of detection ranged from 1.4 to 1.7 nM for the target analytes. Calibration graphs displayed satisfied linearity with R² greater than or equal to 0.9978, and relative standard deviations of the peak area analysis were in the range of 2.9–5.0% (n = 3). The recoveries of all tricyclic antidepressant drugs from urine and plasma were in the range of 77–117 and 79–106%, respectively. The findings of this study show that dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction acetonitrile‐stacking capillary electrophoresis is a rapid and convenient method for identifying tricyclic antidepressant drugs in urine and plasma.     

Application of dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction with alcoholic solvents followed by HPLC–UV as a sensitive and efficient method for the extraction and determination of citalopram in biological samples using an experimental design

A sensitive and rapid method based on alcoholic-assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction followed by high-performance liquid chromatography for determination of citalopram in human plasma and urine samples was developed. The effects of six parameters (extraction time, stirring speed, pH, volume of extraction and disperser solvents, and ionic strength) on the extraction recovery were investigated and optimized utilizing Plackett–Burman design and Box–Behnken design, respectively. According to Plackett–Burman design results, the volume of disperser solvent, stirring speed, and extraction time had no effect on the recovery of citalopram. The optimized condition was a mixture of 172 µL of 1-octanol as extraction solvent and 400 µL of methanol as disperser solvent, pH of 10.3 and 1% w/v of salt in the sample solution. Replicating the experiment in optimized condition for five times, gave the average extraction recoveries equal to 89.42%. The detection limit of citalopram in human plasma was obtained 4 ng/mL, and the linearity was in the range of 10–1200 ng/mL. The corresponding values for human urine were 5.4 ng/mL with the linearity in the range of 10–2000 ng/mL. Relative standard deviations for inter- and intraday extraction of citalopram were less than 7% for five measurements. The proposed method was successfully implemented for the determination of citalopram in human plasma and urine samples.     

Application of dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction followed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry as effective tool for trace analysis of organochlorine pesticide residues in honey samples

A dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) method followed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was applied for the trace determination of organochlorine pesticides in honey samples. The type and volume of organic extraction and disperser solvents, pH, effect of added salt content and centrifuging time and speed were optimized to find the appropriate extraction conditions. In DLLME, 30 µL of 1,2-dibromomethane (serving as extractant) and 1.5 mL of acetonitrile (serving as disperser) were applied. The limit of detection (3 s) and limit of quantification (10 s) for all the analytes of interest (organochlorine pesticides) varied from 0.004 to 0.07 and from 0.02 to 0.3 ng g^?1, respectively. The extraction recovery ranged from 91 to 100 %, and the enrichment factors ranged from 171 to 199. The relative standard deviation was <6 % for intraday (n = 6) and <8 % interday (n = 4) measurements. The proposed DLLME–GC/MS method was confirmed to be fast, simple to perform, friendly to environment and suitable for analysis of organochlorine pesticide residues at trace levels in honey samples.     

Dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction combined with high performance liquid chromatography-DAD detection for the determination of sulfonylurea herbicides in water samples

A new method for the determination of four sulfonylurea herbicides (metsulfuron-methyl, chlorsulfuron, bensulfuron-methyl and chlorimuron-ethyl) in water samples was developed by dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction coupled with high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector. Parameters that affect the extraction efficiency, such as the kind and volume of the extraction and disperser solvent, extraction time and salt addition, were investigated and optimised. Under the optimum conditions, the enrichment factors were in the range between 102 and 216. The linearity of the method was obtained in the range of 1.0–100 ng mL^?1 with the correlation coefficients (r) ranging from 0.9982 to 0.9995. The method detection limits were 0.2–0.3 ng mL^?1. The proposed method has been successfully applied to the analysis of target sulfonylurea herbicides in river, stream and well water samples with satisfactory results.