Ligandless temperature-controlled ionic liquid-phase microextraction of lead(II) ion prior to its determination by FAAS

We describe the application of temperature-controlled ionic liquid based microextraction (TC-IL-ME) of lead(II) ion. The method does not require the use of an organic solvent or a ligand. Rather, the IL is directly added to the aqueous sample containing Pb(II) in a centrifuge tube, and the mixture is heated to 80 °C for 4 min. After cooling at 0 °C, the solution turns cludy due to the formation of fine droplets of the IL containing Pb(II). The IL is separated by centrifugation, acidified, and directly submitted to FAAS by microinjection. The effects of pH value, volume of IL, extraction time, temperature, sample volume and matrix were optimized to result in a preconcentration factor of 30, a detection limit of 5.8 μg L^?1, and a limit of quantification of 19.3 μg L^?1. The method was validated by analyzing a certified reference material (NCSZC81002B; hair). A recovery test performed with spiked samples gave values between 102 % and 105 %. The method was also used to determine Pb(II) in hair samples.

New method for microextraction of ultra trace quantities of gold in real samples using ultrasound-assisted emulsification of solidified floating organic drops

A method was developed for the determination of gold ion in water samples using microextraction based on the ultrasound-assisted emulsification of solidified floating organic drops, followed by the flame atomic absorption spectrometry. N-(4-{4-[(anilinocarbothioyl)amino]benzyl}phenyl)-N-phenylthiourea was used as chelating agent. The parameters affecting the extraction and complex formation (including the type and volume of the extracting solvent, time of sonication and centrifugation, pH, amount of the chelating agent, and sample ionic strength) were optimized. Under the optimum conditions, the calibration graph is linear in the range from 1.5 to 400 ng mL^?1, with a limit of detection of 0.45 ng mL^?1. The relative standard deviation for ten replicate determinations of gold ion in a concentration of 175 ng mL^?1 was 1.7%. The procedure was successfully applied to the determination of gold in water samples, in pharmaceutical and synthetic samples, and in a standard reference material.

Ultrasound-assisted emulsification–microextraction for the sensitive determination of ethyl carbamate in alcoholic beverages

A method based on ultrasound-assisted emulsification–microextraction (USAEME) was proposed in this contribution for the determination of ethyl carbamate (EC) in alcoholic beverages using gas chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. To achieve the determination of EC in alcoholic beverages, the influences on the extraction efficiency of type and volume of extraction solvent, temperature, ionic strength, alcohol content, and extraction time were studied, once the extraction solvent had been selected. The optimized conditions were 200.0 μL of chloroform at 30 °C during 5 min with 15 % (m/v) sodium chloride addition. The detection limit, relative standard deviations, linear range, and recoveries under the optimized conditions were 0.03 μg L^?1, 4.2–6.1 %, 0.1–50.0 μg L^?1, and 80.5–87.9 %, respectively. Moreover, the feasibility of the present method was also validated by real samples. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that USAEME has been applied to determine a strongly hydrophilic compound in alcoholic beverages.

Application of ultrasound-assisted ionic liquid dispersive liquid-phase microextraction followed high-performance liquid chromatography for the determination of fungicides in red wine

A new method was developed for the determination of fungicides in red wine using ultrasound-assisted ionic liquid dispersive liquid–phase microextraction followed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The ionic liquid, 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (IL) was quickly disrupted by ultrasonication and dispersed in wine as fine droplets. At this stage, the analytes were extracted into the fine droplets of IL. After centrifugation, the concentration of the enriched fungicides in the sedimented phase was determined. Extraction conditions including the type of extraction solvent, the extraction solvent volume, ultrasonication time, centrifugation time and sample pH were optimized. The performance of the method was studied in terms of linearity, precision, and recovery. Quantitative recoveries (>70%) except for pyrimethanil were obtained, and method precision was also satisfactory (RSD?<?10%). Enrichment factors range from 100 to 200, and the limits of detection are at the low μg per liter level for most of the target compounds.

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes as sorptive material for solventless in-tube microextraction (ITEX2)—a factorial design study

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes were evaluated as sorptive packing material for in-tube microextraction (ITEX2) in combination with GC-MS for the analysis of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes, and naphthalene in aqueous samples. For method development, a three-level full factorial design of experiment (DoE) was performed incorporating extraction temperature, number of extraction strokes, and extraction flow. The statistical analysis of method development showed that all considered extraction parameters significantly affected the extraction yield. Furthermore, it was shown that some factors significantly interacted with each other, which indicates the advantage of using DoE for method development. The thereby optimized ITEX2 protocol was validated regarding its linear dynamic range, method detection limit (MDL), and precision. The MDLs of investigated analytes ranged between 2 ng L^?1 for naphthalene and 11 ng L^?1 for p-xylene. The relatively low MDL obtained for naphthalene, despite its comparably low air–water partitioning, can be explained by its strong interaction with carbon nanotubes. All obtained MDLs are at least comparable to previous reports on microextraction techniques, emphasizing both the quality of ITEX2 and the highly promising sorbent characteristics of carbon nanotubes. Furthermore, the method was applied to three real samples, which demonstrated good recoveries of analytes from tap water, a bank filtrate, and an effluent from a wastewater treatment plant.

Ultrasound-assisted emulsification microextraction of organolead and organomanganese compounds from seawater, and their determination by GC-MS

We describe a simple method for the simultaneous determination of organolead and organomanganese compounds in seawater samples. It is based on ultrasound-assisted emulsification microextraction. Trimethyllead, triethyllead, tetraethyllead, cyclopentadienylmanganese tricarbonyl and its methyl derivative were separated and determined using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Trimethyllead and triethyllead were derivatized with sodium tetraphenylborate before being submitted to the preconcentration step. Detection limits ranged from 7.0 to 41 ng L^?1 depending on the compound. Recoveries ranged from 84 to 118 %, depending on the compound and the sample analyzed. Seawater samples were collected at different sites of the Cartagena Bay and none of the target analytes were found at levels above the corresponding detection limits.

Microwave assisted headspace controlled-temperature single drop microextraction for liquid chromatographic determination of chlorophenols in aqueous samples

We report on an efficient one-step sample preconcentration technique by coupling microwave heating and cloud vapor zone (CVZ)-based headspace controlled-temperature single drop microextraction (HS-CT-SDME), and its application to headspace extraction of chlorophenols in aqueous solutions. Microwave irradiation is utilized to accelerate evaporation of analytes into the headspace sampling zone for the direct extraction of aqueous chlorophenols. A microdrop of extractant is suspended at the bottom of a bell-mouthed micropipette tip connected to a microsyringe needle. An external cooling system was adopted to control the formation of the CVZ around the SDME tip in the headspace sampling area. In the CVZ procedure, the warm headspace vapor is quickly cooled near the SDME tip, thus forming a dense cloud of analyte-water vapor; thereby enhancing the partition of the analytes into the SDME solvent. The chlorophenols are then determined by LC-UV detection. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the analytical signal is linearly related to the concentration of the chlorophenols range of 2.5–250?ng?mL^?1. The detection limits vary from 0.3 to 0.7?ng?mL^?1, and the precision (expressed as the relative standard deviation) from 3.7 to 13.3?%. The method was validated with real water samples, and the spiked recovery ranged between 92 and 103.1?% for river water, and between 85.1?% and 98.6?% for lake water. Compared to other methods, microwave assisted HS-CT-SDME is simple, rapid, sensitive, inexpensive and eco-friendly, and requires less sample and organic extractant.

Micro-scale quantitation of ten phthalate esters in water samples and cosmetics using capillary liquid chromatography coupled to UV detection: effective strategies to reduce the production of organic waste

We have extracted ten phthalate esters (C1 to C8) using six different micro-scale methods for extraction, and then separated them by capillary liquid chromatography coupled to UV detection. The methods included liquid-liquid extraction, ultrasonic-assisted extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, dispersive liquid-liquidmicroextraction, dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction solidification of floating organic droplets, and cloud point extraction. The linear range of the analytes is from 0.5 to 50 μg mL^?1, and the detection limits range from 0.02 to ~0.17 μg mL^?1. The precision and accuracy of all intra- and inter-day analyses are <5.5%. We find that dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction solidification of floating organic droplet (DLLME-SFO) is the best method for quantification of most phthalate esters in water samples and cosmetics because of its low limit of detection and high extraction efficiencies.

Single-drop microextraction for the determination of manganese in seafood and water samples

We describe a method for single drop microextraction of manganese from fish, mollusk, and from natural waters using the reagent 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol as the complexing agent and chloroform as the fluid extractor. After extraction, the analyte was directly submitted to graphite furnace electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Once optimized, the method has a detection limit of 30 ng L^?1, a limit of quantification of 100 ng L^?1, and an enrichment factor of 16. Its accuracy was verified by applying the procedure to the following certified reference materials: apple leaves, spinach leaves, bovine liver, and mussel tissue. The procedure was also successfully applied to the determination of manganese in seafood and natural waters.

Single-walled carbon nanohorns immobilized on a microporous hollow polypropylene fiber as a sorbent for the extraction of volatile organic compounds from water samples

We have evaluated the behavior of single-walled carbon nanohorns as a sorbent for headspace and direct immersion (micro)solid phase extraction using volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as model analytes. The conical carbon nanohorns were first oxidized in order to increase their solubility in water and organic solvents. A microporous hollow polypropylene fiber served as a mechanical support that provides a high surface area for nanoparticle retention. The extraction unit was directly placed in the liquid sample or the headspace of an aqueous standard or a water sample to extract and preconcentrate the VOCs. The variables affecting extraction have been optimized. The VOCs were then identified and quantified by GC/MS. We conclude that direct immersion of the fiber is the most adequate method for the extraction of VOCs from both liquid samples and headspace. Detection limits range from 3.5 to 4.3 ng L^?1 (excepted for toluene with 25 ng L^?1), and the precision (expressed as relative standard deviation) is between 3.9 and 9.6 %. The method was applied to the determination of toluene, ethylbenzene, various xylene isomers and styrene in bottled, river and tap waters, and the respective average recoveries of spiked samples are 95.6, 98.2 and 86.0 %.

Miniaturized and green method for determination of chemical oxygen demand using UV-induced oxidation with hydrogen peroxide and single drop microextraction

We report on a green method for the determination of low levels of chemical oxygen demand. It is based on the combination of (a) UV-induced oxidation with hydrogen peroxide, (b) headspace single-drop microextraction with in-drop precipitation, and (c) micro-turbidimetry. The generation of CO₂ after photolytic oxidation followed by its sequestration onto a microdrop of barium hydroxide gives rise to a precipitate of barium carbonate which is quantified by turbidimetry. UV-light induced oxidation was studied in the absence and presence of H₂O₂, ultrasound, and ferrous ion. Determinations of chemical oxygen demand were performed using potassium hydrogen phthalate as a model compound. The optimized method gives a calibration curve that is linear between 3.4 and 20 mg L^?1 oxygen. The detection limit was 1.2 mg L^?1 of oxygen, and the repeatability (as relative standard deviation) was around 5 %. The method was successfully applied to the determination of chemical oxygen demand in different natural waters and a synthetic wastewater.

Ultrasensitive,simple and solvent-free micro-assay for determining sulphite preservatives (E220–228) in foods by HS-SDME and UV–vis micro-spectrophotometry

A new method based on headspace single-drop microextraction in combination with UV–vis micro-spectrophotometry has been developed for the ultrasensitive determination of banned sulphite preservatives (E220–228) in fruits and vegetables. Sample acidification was used for SO₂ generation, which is collected onto a 5,5′-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) microdrop for spectrophotometric measurement. A careful study of this reaction was necessary, including conditions for SO₂ generation from different sulphating salts, drop pH, 5,5′-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) concentration and potential interference effects. Variables influencing mass transfer (stirring, sample volume and addition of salt) and microextraction time were also studied. A simple sulphite extraction was carried out, and problems caused by oxidation during the extraction process were addressed. A high enrichment factor (380) allows the determination of low levels of free SO₂ in fruits and vegetables (limit of detection 0.06 μg g^?1, limit of quantification 0.2 μg g^?1) with an adequate precision (repeatability, relative standard deviation 5 %). In addition, the sulphiting process was studied through the monitoring of residual SO₂ in a vegetal sample, thus showing the importance of a sensitive tool for SO₂ detection at low levels.

Modified dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction for pre-concentration of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes prior to their determination by GC

We have developed a modified method for the extraction and preconcentration of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes (BTEX) in aqueous samples. It based on dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction along with solidification of floating organic microdrops. The dispersion of microvolumes of an extracting solvent into the aqueous occurs without dispersive solvent. Various parameters have been optimized. BTEX were quantified via GC with FID detection. Under optimized conditions, the preconcentration factors range from 301 to 514, extraction efficiencies from 60 to 103 %, repeatabilities from 2.2 to 4.1 %, and intermediate precisions from 3.5 to 7.0 %. The relative recovery for each analyte in water samples at three spiking levels is >85.6 %, with a relative standard deviation of <7.4 %.

A three phase dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction technique for the extraction of antibiotics in milk

We have developed a 3-phase method for dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction of ß-lactam antibiotics in milk. Chloroform and acetonitrile serve as the solvents for extraction and disperssion, respectively, where Aliquat 336 is the carrier. An experimental design based on Plackett-Burman and Central composite designs were applied for the screening and optimization of significant parameters in the extraction method. The experimental conditions for extraction were optimized, and the subsequent HPLC assay gave relative standard deviations and detection limits in the range of 4.3–8.5 % and 50–500 μg L^-1, respectively. Preconcentration factors are in the range of 80–125.

Analysis of dextromethorphan and pseudoephedrine in human plasma and urine samples using hollow fiber-based liquid–liquid–liquid microextraction and corona discharge ion mobility spectrometry

We report on the use of hollow fiber liquid-liquid-liquid microextraction (HF-LLLME) followed by corona discharge ion mobility spectrometry for the determination of dextromethorphan and pseudoephedrine in urine and plasma samples. The effects of pH of the donor phase, stirring rate, ionic strength and extraction time on HF-LLLME were optimized. Under the optimized conditions, the linear range of the calibration curves for dextromethorphan in plasma and urine, respectively, are from 1.5 to 150 and from 1 to 100 ng mL^?1. The ranges for pseudoephedrine, in turn, are from 30 to 300 and from 20 to 200 ng mL^?1. Correlation coefficients are better than 0.9903. The limits of detection are 0.6 and 0.3 ng mL^?1 for dextromethorphan, and 8.6 and 4.2 ng mL^?1 for pseudoephedrine in plasma and urine samples, respectively. The relative standard deviations range from 6 to 8%.

Extraction behavior of copper(II) ion with a hydrophobic amino-functionalized ionic liquid

We have prepared the hydrophobic amino-functionalized ionic liquid (IL) 1-(2-aminoethyl)-3-butylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate and investigated its extraction behavior for copper(II) ion as a model cation. The IL, due to the presence of an amino group, is capable of complexing Cu(II) in a ratio of 6:1. The parameters affecting the extraction efficiency were optimized. The IL-based liquid–liquid microextraction was successfully applied to the analysis of Cu(II) in an environmental water standard reference material. The results are promising in terms of liquid–liquid microextraction, separation, and preconcentration of Cu(II).

Screen-printed electrode-based electrochemical detector coupled with in-situ ionic-liquid-assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for determination of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene

A novel method is reported, whereby screen-printed electrodes (SPELs) are combined with dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction. In-situ ionic liquid (IL) formation was used as an extractant phase in the microextraction technique and proved to be a simple, fast and inexpensive analytical method. This approach uses miniaturized systems both in sample preparation and in the detection stage, helping to develop environmentally friendly analytical methods and portable devices to enable rapid and onsite measurement. The microextraction method is based on a simple metathesis reaction, in which a water-immiscible IL (1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]imide, [Hmim][NTf₂]) is formed from a water-miscible IL (1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, [Hmim][Cl]) and an ion-exchange reagent (lithium bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]imide, LiNTf₂) in sample solutions. The explosive 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) was used as a model analyte to develop the method. The electrochemical behavior of TNT in [Hmim][NTf₂] has been studied in SPELs. The extraction method was first optimized by use of a two-step multivariate optimization strategy, using Plackett–Burman and central composite designs. The method was then evaluated under optimum conditions and a good level of linearity was obtained, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9990. Limits of detection and quantification were 7 μg L^?1 and 9 μg L^?1, respectively. The repeatability of the proposed method was evaluated at two different spiking levels (20 and 50 μg L^?1), and coefficients of variation of 7 % and 5 % (n?=?5) were obtained. Tap water and industrial wastewater were selected as real-world water samples to assess the applicability of the method.

Emulsification based dispersive liquid microextraction prior to flame atomic absorption spectrometry for the sensitive determination of Cd(II) in water samples

We report on the application of emulsification-based dispersive liquid microextraction (EB-DLME) to the preconcentration of Cd(II). This procedure not only possesses all the advantages of routine DLLME, but also results in a more stable cloudy state which is particularly useful when coupling it to FAAS. In EB-DLME, appropriate amounts of the extraction solvent (a solution of dithizone in chloroform) and an aqueous solution of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS; acting as a disperser) are injected into the samples. A stable cloudy microemulsion is formed and Cd(II) ion is extracted by chelation. After phase separation, the sedimented phase is subjected to FAAS. Under optimized conditions, the calibration curve for Cd(II) is linear in the range from 0.1 to 25 μg L^?1, the limit of detection (at S/N?=?3) is 30 pg L^?1, the relative standard deviations for seven replicate analyses (at 0.56 μg L^?1 of Cd(II)) is 4.6 %, and the enrichment factor is 151. EB-DLME in our opinion is a simple, efficient and rapid method for the preconcentration of Cd(II) (and most likely of many other ions) prior to FAAS determination.

An inorganic–organic hybrid material based on ZnO nanoparticles anchored to a composite made from polythiophene and hexagonally ordered silica for use in solid-phase fiber microextraction of PAHs

We report on an inorganic–organic hybrid nanocomposite that represents a novel kind of fiber coating for solid-phase microextraction (SPME) of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The material is composed of ZnO nanoparticles, polythiophene and hexagonally ordered silica, and displays good extraction capability due to its nanostructure. The nanocomposite was synthesized by an in-situ polymerization technique, and the ZnO nanoparticles were anchored to the pores in the walls. The ZnO/polythiophene/hexagonally ordered silica (ZnO/PT/SBA-15) nanocomposite was then deposited on a stainless steel wire to obtain the fiber for SPME of PAHs. Optimum conditions include an extraction temperature of 85 °C (for 30 min only), a desorption temperature of 260 °C (for 2 min), and a salt concentration (NaCl) of 20 % (w/v). The detection limits are between 8.2 and 20 pg mL^?1, and the linear responses extend from 0.1 to 10 ng mL^?1. The repeatability for one fiber (for n?=?5), expressed as relative standard deviation, is between 4.3 and 9.1 %. The method offers the advantage of being simple to use, rapid, and low-cost (in terms of equipment). The thermal stability of the fiber and high relative recovery (compared to conventional methods) represent additional attractive features.

Electrochemical immunosensor for prostate-specific antigen using a glassy carbon electrode modified with a nanocomposite containing gold nanoparticles supported with starch-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes

We report on a simple, rapid, and efficient method for the extraction of volatile organic compounds (VOCs; including methanol, tetrahydrofuran, 2-hexanone and benzene) from air and solid samples. The system is based on the use of a laboratory-made syringe as the extractor. The needle of the syringe is placed in a chamber cooled by liquid nitrogen. The tip of the needle is placed in the headspace of a vial containing the sample. The headspace components then are circulated with a pump to pass the needle, and this results in freeze-trapping of the VOCs on the inner surface of the needle. The circulation of the headspace components is continued for 15 min, and the syringe is then removed and placed in a GC injector. The effects of volume of the sample vial, headspace flow rate, temperature and time of extraction and desorption were optimized. The overall time for sampling and analysis is <30 min. The method displays an extraction efficiency of >80%) and a good sample transfer efficiency into the GC column due to the absence of a sorbent inside the needle. No carry-over was observed after 30?s desorption at 260?°C. An external standard method was used for quantitative analysis. The relative standard deviation values are below 10% and the limits of detection range from 1.3 to 4.6?ng?g^?1.