Ionic liquid based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for the extraction of pesticides from bananas

This paper describes a dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) procedure using room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) coupled to high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection capable of quantifying trace amounts of eight pesticides (i.e. thiophanate-methyl, carbofuran, carbaryl, tebuconazole, iprodione, oxyfluorfen, hexythiazox and fenazaquin) in bananas. Fruit samples were first homogenized and extracted (1 g) with acetonitrile and after suitable evaporation and reconstitution of the extract in 10 mL of water, a DLLME procedure using 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([C₆MIM][PF₆]) as extraction solvent was used. Experimental conditions affecting the DLLME procedure (sample pH, sodium chloride percentage, ionic liquid amount and volume of disperser solvent) were optimized by means of an experimental design. In order to determine the presence of a matrix effect, calibration curves for standards and fortified banana extracts (matrix matched calibration) were studied. Mean recovery values of the extraction of the pesticides from banana samples were in the range of 69–97% (except for thiophanate-methyl and carbofuran, which were 53–63%) with a relative standard deviation lower than 8.7% in all cases. Limits of detection achieved (0.320–4.66 μg/kg) were below the harmonized maximum residue limits established by the European Union (EU). The proposed method, was also applied to the analysis of this group of pesticides in nine banana samples taken from the local markets of the Canary Islands (Spain). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first application of RTILs as extraction solvents for DLLME of pesticides from samples different than water.     

One-step in-syringe ionic liquid-based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction

Dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) has been proved to be a powerful tool for the rapid sample treatment of liquid samples providing at the same time high enrichment factors and extraction recoveries. A new, simple and easy to handle one step in-syringe set-up for DLLME is presented and critically discussed in this paper. The novel approach avoids the centrifugation step, typically off-line and time consuming, opening-up a new horizon on DLLME automation. The suitability of the proposal is evaluated by means of the determination of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in urine by liquid chromatography/ultraviolet detection. In the presented approach an ionic liquid is used as extractant. The target drugs can be determined in urine within the concentration range 0.02–10 μg mL⁻¹, allowing their determination at therapeutic and toxic levels. Limits of detection were in the range from 8.3 ng mL⁻¹ (indomethacin) to 32 ng mL⁻¹ (ketoprofen). The repeatability of the proposed method expressed as RSD (n = 5) varied between 2.5% (for ketoprofen) and 8.6% (for indomethacin).     

In-situ ionic liquid-based microwave-assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction of triazine herbicides

We report on the determination of the triazine herbicides ametryne, prometryne, terbuthylazine and terbutryn in water samples. The herbicides are extracted by in-situ ionic liquid-based microwave-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction and then determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. This is a new method for extraction that has the advantages of requiring less volume of ionic liquid (IL) than other methods and at the same time is quite fast. The type and volume of IL, the type and volume of disperser, irradiation temperature, extraction time and salt concentration were optimized. Figures of merit include linear regression coefficients between 0.9992 and 0.9995, acceptable recoveries (88.4–114?%), relative standard deviations of 1.6–6.2?%, and limits of detection between 0.52 and 1.3?μg?L^?1.

Extensible automated dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction

In this study, a convenient and extensible automated ionic liquid-based in situ dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (automated IL-based in situ DLLME) was developed. 1-Octyl-3-methylimidazolium bis[(trifluoromethane)sulfonyl]imide ([C₈MIM]NTf₂) is formed through the reaction between [C₈MIM]Cl and lithium bis[(trifluoromethane)sulfonyl]imide (LiNTf₂) to extract the analytes. Using a fully automatic SPE workstation, special SPE columns packed with nonwoven polypropylene (NWPP) fiber, and a modified operation program, the procedures of the IL-based in situ DLLME, including the collection of a water sample, injection of an ion exchange solvent, phase separation of the emulsified solution, elution of the retained extraction phase, and collection of the eluent into vials, can be performed automatically. The developed approach, coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography–diode array detection (HPLC–DAD), was successfully applied to the detection and concentration determination of benzoylurea (BU) insecticides in water samples. Parameters affecting the extraction performance were investigated and optimized. Under the optimized conditions, the proposed method achieved extraction recoveries of 80% to 89% for water samples. The limits of detection (LODs) of the method were in the range of 0.16–0.45 ng mL⁻¹. The intra-column and inter-column relative standard deviations (RSDs) were <8.6%. Good linearity (r > 0.9986) was obtained over the calibration range from 2 to 500 ng mL⁻¹. The proposed method opens a new avenue for automated DLLME that not only greatly expands the range of viable extractants, especially functional ILs but also enhances its application for various detection methods. Furthermore, multiple samples can be processed simultaneously, which accelerates the sample preparation and allows the examination of a large number of samples.     

Development of deep eutectic solvent–based microwave-assisted extraction combined with temperature controlled ionic liquid–based liquid phase microextraction for extraction of aflatoxins from cheese samples

In this study, for the first time, a deep eutectic solvent-based microwave-assisted extraction was combined with ionic liquid–based temperature controlled liquid phase microextraction for the extraction of several aflatoxins from cheese samples. Briefly, the analytes are extracted from cheese sample (3 g) into a mixture of 1.5 mL choline chloride:ethylene glycol deep eutectic solvent and 3.5 mL deionized water by exposing to microwave irradiations for 60 s at 180 W. The liquid phase was taken and mixed with 55 μL 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate. By cooling the solution in the refrigerator centrifuge, a turbid state was obtained and the analytes were extracted into the ionic liquid droplets. The analytes were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with fluorescence detector. Low limits of detection (9–23 ng kg^–1) and quantification (30–77 ng kg^–1), high extraction recovery (66%–83%), acceptable enrichment factor (40–50), and good precision (relative standard deviations ≤ 5.2%) were obtained using the offered approach. These results reveal the high extraction capability of the method for determination of aflatoxins in the cheese samples. In this method, there was no need for organic solvents and it can be considered as green extraction method.     

Enzyme-assisted extraction and ionic liquid-based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction followed by high-performance liquid chromatography for determination of patulin in apple juice and method optimization using central composite design

A simple and highly sensitive analytical methodology for isolation and determination of patulin in apple-juice samples, based on enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE) and ionic liquid-based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (IL-DLLME) was developed and optimized. Enzymes play essential roles in eliminating interference and increasing the extraction efficiency of patulin. Apple-juice samples were treated with pectinase and amylase. A mixture of 80 μL ionic liquid and 600 μL methanol (disperser solvent) was used for the IL-DLLME process. The sedimented phase was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Experimental parameters controlling the performance of DLLME, were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) based on central composite design (CCD). Under optimum conditions, the calibration curves showed high levels of linearity (R² > 0.99) for patulin in the range of 1–200 ng g⁻¹. The relative standard deviation (RSD) for the seven analyses was 7.5%. The limits of detection (LOD) and limits of quantification (LOQ) were 0.15 ng g⁻¹ and 0.5 ng g⁻¹, respectively. The merit figures, compared with other methods, showed that new proposed method is an accurate, precise and reliable sample-pretreatment method that substantially reduces sample matrix interference and gives very good enrichment factors and detection limits for investigation trace amount of patulin in apple-juice samples.     

Evolution of dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction method

Dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) has become a very popular environmentally benign sample-preparation technique, because it is fast, inexpensive, easy to operate with a high enrichment factor and consumes low volume of organic solvent. DLLME is a modified solvent extraction method in which acceptor-to-donor phase ratio is greatly reduced compared with other methods. In this review, in order to encourage further development of DLLME, its combination with different analytical techniques such as gas chromatography (GC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ET AAS) will be discussed. Also, its applications in conjunction with different extraction techniques such as solid-phase extraction (SPE), solidification of floating organic drop (SFO) and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) are summarized. This review focuses on the extra steps in sample preparation for application of DLLME in different matrixes such as food, biological fluids and solid samples. Further, the recent developments in DLLME are presented. DLLME does have some limitations, which will also be discussed in detail. Finally, an outlook on the future of the technique will be given.     

Recent developments in dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction

During the past 7 years and since the introduction of dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME), the method has gained widespread acceptance as a simple, fast, and miniaturized sample preparation technique. Owing to its simplicity of operation, rapidity, low cost, high recovery, and low consumption of organic solvents and reagents, it has been applied for determination of a vast variety of organic and inorganic compounds in different matrices. This review summarizes the DLLME principles, historical developments, and various modes of the technique, recent trends, and selected applications. The main focus is on recent technological advances and important applications of DLLME. In this review, six important aspects in the development of DLLME are discussed: (1) the type of extraction solvent, (2) the type of disperser solvent, (3) combination of DLLME with other extraction methods, (4) automation of DLLME, (5) derivatization reactions in DLLME, and (6) the application of DLLME for metal analysis. Literature published from 2010 to April 2013 is covered.     

Solvent extraction and extraction–voltammetric determination of phenols using room temperature ionic liquid

The phenolic compounds phenol, 4-nitrophenol, 2,4-dinitrophenol, 2,6-dinitrophenol, 1-naphthol, 2-naphthol, and 4-chlorophenol are extracted nearly quantitatively from aqueous solution into the room temperature ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMImPF₆) in molecular form at pH<pK_a. Picric acid is extracted efficiently in anionic form. Recovery of pyrocatechol and resorcinol is much lower. The effect of pH, phenol concentration, and volume ratio of aqueous and organic phases were studied. Ionic liquid BMImPF₆ is shown to be suitable for extraction–voltammetric determination of phenols without back-extraction or addition of support electrolyte. The electrochemical window of BMImPF₆ at various electrodes was determined, and voltammetric oxidation of phenols and reduction of nitrophenols in BMImPF₆ was studied.     

Trace determination of EDTA from water samples using dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction coupled with HPLC-DAD

Dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) in conjunction with high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) has been applied to the extraction and determination of EDTA in sediments and water samples. The effect of extraction, nature and volume of disperser solvent, pH value of sample solution, extraction time and extraction temperature were investigated. Under the optimal conditions the analytical range of EDTA was from 3.0 to 50.0 μg L^?1 with a correlation coefficient of 0.9982 and a detection limit of 1.7 μg L^?1. The relative standard deviation (RSD) was less than 5.4% (n?=?5), and the recovery values were in the range of 89–95%. The simplicity, high enrichment, high recovery and good repeatability are the main advantages of the method presented. The DLLME-HPLC-DAD method was successfully applied to the analysis of EDTA in aqueous samples.     

Low toxic dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction using halosolvents for extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water samples

A low toxic dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (LT-DLLME) combined with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) had been developed for the extraction and determination of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water samples. In normal DLLME assay, chlorosolvent had been widely used as extraction solvents; however, these solvents are environmental-unfriendly. In order to solve this problem, we proposed to use low toxic bromosolvent (1-bromo-3-methylbutane, LD₅₀ 6150 mg/kg) as the extraction solvent. In this study we compared the extraction efficiency of five chlorosolvents and thirteen bromo/iodo solvents. The results indicated that some of the bromo/iodo solvents showed better extraction and had much lower toxicity than chlorosolvents. We also found that propionic acid is used as the disperser solvent, as little as 50 μL is effective. Under optimum conditions, the range of enrichment factors and extraction recoveries of tap water samples are ranging 372–1308 and 87–105%, respectively. The linear range is wide (0.01–10.00 μg L⁻¹), and the limits of detection are between 0.0003 and 0.0078 μg L⁻¹ for most of the analytes. The relative standard deviations (RSD) for 0.01 μg L⁻¹ of PAHs in tap water were in the range of 5.1–10.0%. The performance of the method was gauged by analyzing samples of tap water, sea water and lake water samples.     

Determination of four heterocyclic insecticides by ionic liquid dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction in water samples

A novel microextraction method termed ionic liquid dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (IL-DLLME) combining high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) was developed for the determination of insecticides in water samples. Four heterocyclic insecticides (fipronil, chlorfenapyr, buprofezin, and hexythiazox) were selected as the model compounds for validating this new method. This technique combines extraction and concentration of the analytes into one step, and the ionic liquid was used instead of a volatile organic solvent as the extraction solvent. Several important parameters influencing the IL-DLLME extraction efficiency such as the volume of extraction solvent, the type and volume of disperser solvent, extraction time, centrifugation time, salt effect as well as acid addition were investigated. Under the optimized conditions, good enrichment factors (209–276) and accepted recoveries (79–110%) were obtained for the extraction of the target analytes in water samples. The calibration curves were linear with correlation coefficient ranged from 0.9947 to 0.9973 in the concentration level of 2–100 μg/L, and the relative standard deviations (RSDs, n = 5) were 4.5–10.7%. The limits of detection for the four insecticides were 0.53–1.28 μg/L at a signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) of 3.     

Automated on-line dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction based on a sequential injection system

A novel approach for sequential injection-dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (SI-DLLME) has been suggested. The method is based on the aspiration and mixing of a sample and all required aqueous reagents in the holding coil of an SIA system, delivering it into a conical tube and adding in a mixture of extraction solvent, auxiliary solvent and disperser solvent at high flow rate, resulting in the formation of a cloudy state and the extraction of an analyte. The mixture of extraction and auxiliary solvent is immiscible with water and has a density significantly higher than that of water; consequently, the resulting fine droplets in the mixture, which contain the extracted analyte, are self-sedimented in a short time at the bottom of conical tube. Thus, no centrifugation and no use of a microcolumn are required for separation of the extraction phase. Afterwards, the extracted analyte is aspirated and transferred to a micro-volume Z-flow cell, and the absorbance is measured.The performance of the suggested approach is demonstrated by the SI-DLLME of thiocyanate ions in the form of ion associate with dimethylindocarbocyanine reagent, followed by spectrophotometric detection. A mixture of amyl acetate (as extraction solvent), tetrachloromethane (as auxiliary solvent) and acetonitrile (as disperser solvent) was selected for the DLLME procedure. The appropriate experimental conditions for conventional DLLME and automated SI-DLLME were investigated. The analytical performance of both these procedures was compared. The absorbance of the colored extracts at wavelength 555 nm obeys Beer's law in the range of 3.13–28.2 for conventional DLLME and 0.29–5.81 mg L^? 1 of SCN for SI-DLLME, and the limit of detection, calculated from a blank test based on 3 s, is 0.110 for conventional DLLME and 0.017 mg L^? 1 for SI-DLLME.     

Completely automated in-syringe dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction using solvents lighter than water

This paper describes the development of a new multisyringe flow injection analysis set-up that enables the complete automation of the dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) technique using solvents lighter than water. Its hyphenation with a liquid chromatographic separation is implemented using a single multisyringe pump obtaining a compact, simple, easy to operate, and fast instrument. DLLME is carried out with a throughput of 42 h⁻¹ and DLLME for the extraction of benzo(a)pyrene and its subsequent chromatographic determination can be carried out with an analysis throughput of 7 h⁻¹.     

Sequential injection ionic liquid dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for thallium preconcentration and determination with flame atomic absorption spectrometry

A novel, automatic on-line sequential injection dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (SI-DLLME) method, based on 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([Hmim][PF(6)]) ionic liquid as an extractant solvent was developed and demonstrated for trace thallium determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The ionic liquid was on-line fully dispersed into the aqueous solution in a continuous flow format while the TlBr(4)(-) complex was easily migrated into the fine droplets of the extractant due to the huge contact area of them with the aqueous phase. Furthermore, the extractant was simply retained onto the surface of polyurethane foam packed into a microcolumn. No specific conditions like low temperature are required for extractant isolation. All analytical parameters of the proposed method were investigated and optimized. For 15 mL of sample solution, an enhancement factor of 290, a detection limit of 0.86 μg L(-1) and a precision (RSD) of 2.7% at 20.0 μg L(-1) Tl(I) concentration level, was obtained. The developed method was evaluated by analyzing certified reference materials while good recoveries from environmental and biological samples proved that present method was competitive in practical applications.     

Development of molecularly imprinted-solid phase extraction combined with dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for selective extraction and preconcentration of triazine herbicides from aqueous samples

In this study, a sensitive and developed method based on the use of molecularly imprinted-solid phase extraction along with dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction has been reported for selective extraction and pre-concentration of triazine pesticides from aqueous samples. Molecularly imprinted microspheres (template, atrazine) were synthesized using precipitation polymerization and used as sorbent in SPE procedure. A model solution containing the studied pesticides was slowly passed through the atrazine-MIP cartridge. The adsorbed analytes were eluted with methanol, mixed with carbon tetrachloride (as extraction solvent) and rapidly injected into deionized water. In this process, the analytes were extracted into fine droplets of carbon tetrachloride and the fine droplets were sedimented in bottom of the conical test tube by centrifugation. Finally, GC-FID was used for the separation and determination of analytes in the sedimented phase. Some important parameters affecting the performance of developed method were completely investigated. The linear ranges of calibration curves were wide and limits of detection and limits of quantification were between 0.2–7 and 0.5–20 ng mL^?1, respectively. The relative standard deviation obtained for six repeated experiments of atrazine (10 ng mL^?1) was 3.1 %. The relative recoveries obtained for the atrazine in the spiked samples were within in the range of 92–98 %.     

A dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction based on a task-specific ionic liquid for enrichment of trace quantity of cadmium in water and food samples

In this work, a hydrophilic task-specific ionic liquid (TSIL) of 1-chloroethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride functionalized with 8-hydroxyquinoline was used in a dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction method followed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry for the enrichment and determination of trace amounts of cadmium (Cd²⁺) ions. The simultaneous chelation and extraction of Cd²⁺ ions was carried out by the TSIL. Fine droplets of the water-immiscible TSIL containing target analyte were generated in situ by addition of an anion exchanger potassium hexafluorophosphate (KPF₆) salt to the sample tube. After phase separation by centrifugation for 4 min, the sedimented TSIL was diluted with acidified ethanol for measurement of Cd²⁺ content. Some significant parameters influence the preconcentration of Cd²⁺ ions such as sample pH, TSIL volume, amount of KPF₆, non-ionic surfactant and salt concentration were investigated. Under the optimal conditions, calibration curve was linear in the range of 5–250 µg L^?1 Cd²⁺ with correlation coefficient of 0.9975 and a detection limit of 0.55 µg L^?1. The relative standard deviation for six replicate measurements of 50 µg L^?1 Cd²⁺ was 1.5%. The method was successfully applied for the extraction and determination of Cd²⁺ ions in water and food samples.     

Riboflavin as a green sorbent in dispersive micro-solid-phase extraction of several pesticides from fruit juices combined with dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction

A vortex-assisted dispersive micro-solid-phase extraction procedure using a new and green sorbent was developed as a simple, fast, and efficient sample preparation method for the extracting five pesticides in several fruit juice samples. In this study, for the first time, riboflavin was used as an efficient sorbent. A few milligrams of riboflavin was directly added into the aqueous solution containing the analytes to adsorb them. After adsorption the analytes, they were desorbed and more concentrated by a dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction procedure. The influence of several effective parameters such as amount of riboflavin, pH, vortex time, eluent nature and volume, and extraction solvent type and volume on the extraction efficiency was investigated. In optimal conditions, linear ranges of the calibration curves were broad. The limits of detection and quantification were attained in the ranges of 0.56–1.5  and 1.9–0.52 ng mL⁻¹, respectively. The proposed method demonstrated to be suitable for concurrent extraction of the studied pesticides in various fruit juice samples with high enrichment factors (320–360) and precision (relative standard deviation ≤7.8% for intra- [n = 6] and interday [n = 4] precisions at a concentration of 25 ng mL⁻¹ of each pesticide).     

A microwave-assisted extraction method combined with magnetic ionic liquid-based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for the extraction of chloramine–T from fish samples prior to its determination by high-performance liquid chromatography

In the present work, a combination of microwave-assisted extraction with magnetic ionic liquid–based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction was developed for the extraction of chloramine–T from fish samples. In this method, the sample was mixed with a hydrochloric acid solution and exposed to microwave irradiations. By doing so, chloramine–T was converted to p–toluenesulfonamide and extracted from the sample into an aqueous phase. Then, a mixture of acetonitrile (as a dispersive solvent) and magnetic ionic liquid (as an extraction solvent) was rapidly injected into the obtained solution. In the following, the magnetic solvent droplets including the extracted analytes were isolated from the aqueous solution in the presence of an external magnetic field and after diluting with acetonitrile injected into high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with a diode array detector. Under the optimum extraction conditions, high extraction recovery (78%), low limits of detection (7.2 ng/g) and quantification (23.9 ng/g), good repeatability (relative standard deviations ≤5.8 and 6.8% for intra– and inter-day precisions, respectively), and wide linear range (23.9–1000 ng/g) were obtained. Finally, various fish samples marketed in Tabriz city (East Azarbaijan, Iran) were analyzed with the suggested method.     

Development of an ionic liquid based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction method for the analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water samples

A simple, rapid and efficient method, ionic liquid based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (IL-DLLME), has been developed for the first time for the determination of 18 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water samples. The chemical affinity between the ionic liquid (1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate) and the analytes permits the extraction of the PAHs from the sample matrix also allowing their preconcentration. Thus, this technique combines extraction and concentration of the analytes into one step and avoids using toxic chlorinated solvents. The factors affecting the extraction efficiency, such as the type and volume of ionic liquid, type and volume of disperser solvent, extraction time, dispersion stage, centrifuging time and ionic strength, were optimised. Analysis of extracts was performed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with fluorescence detection (Flu). The optimised method exhibited a good precision level with relative standard deviation values between 1.2% and 5.7%. Quantification limits obtained for all of these considered compounds (between 0.1 and 7 ng L⁻¹) were well below the limits recommended in the EU. The extraction yields for the different compounds obtained by IL-DLLME, ranged from 90.3% to 103.8%. Furthermore, high enrichment factors (301–346) were also achieved. The extraction efficiency of the optimised method is compared with that achieved by liquid–liquid extraction. Finally, the proposed method was successfully applied to the analysis of PAHs in real water samples (tap, bottled, fountain, well, river, rainwater, treated and raw wastewater).