Assays on the simultaneous determination and elimination of chloroanisoles and chlorophenols from contaminated cork samples

A method for the simultaneous determination of the chloroanisoles and chlorophenols in cork samples with gas chromatography has been evaluated in view to its application. All the stages of the suggested procedure have been submitted to an in-depth examination using spiked ground corks. The recoveries of the method, which involves a simultaneous extraction with n-pentane followed by a second extraction using an aqueous basic solution where the phenolic derivates are transferred and, subsequently, derivatised, have been satisfactory for the all analytes at the studied spiking concentration levels. Good precision data and limits of detection between 1 ng/g and 2 ng/g were obtained for almost all compounds. As real samples, naturally contaminated cork slabs taken from different sources have been analysed, showing the presence of 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (TCA) and, in lesser extent, its direct precursor, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP). Removal studies have been performed by washing these tainted cork slabs with different solutions: Milli-Q water, sodium hydroxide and commercial products. Sodium hydroxide solutions have led to better analyte elimination, and the complete removal of TCP from the cork has been accomplished together with 72% of TCA reduction has been achieved.