Multiple response optimisation based on desirability functions of a microwave-assisted extraction method for the simultaneous determination of chloroanisoles and chlorophenols in oak barrel sawdust

A microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) method was optimised for extracting 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (TCA), 2,3,4,6-tetrachloroanisole (TeCA), pentachloroanisole (PCA), 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP), 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol (TeCP) and pentachlorophenol (PCP) from oak barrels. The method was optimised by using a central composite experimental design with extraction time, temperature and solvent volume as influential parameters. A desirability function was then employed in addition to the simultaneous optimisation of the compounds. The optimal conditions identified were temperature 130 degrees C, solvent volume 35 mL and extraction time 50 min. The compounds were determined by gas chromatography with electron-capture detection. MAE was compared with conventional Soxhlet extraction; the results obtained with MAE were in good agreement with those obtained by Soxhlet extraction.