Application of curcumin as a green and new sorbent in deep eutectic solvent-based dispersive micro-solid phase extraction of several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from honey samples prior to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry determination

Deep eutectic solvent for the extraction of polycyclic aromatic compounds in fuel, food and environmental samples

Polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) encompass a wide variety of organic analytes that have mutagenic and carcinogenic potentials for human health and are recalcitrant in the environment. Evaluating PACs levels in fuel (e.g., gasoline and diesel), food (e.g., grilled meat, fish, powdered milk, fruits, honey, and coffee) and environmental (e.g., industrial effluents, water, wastewater and marine organisms) samples are critical to determine the risk that these chemicals pose. Deep eutectic solvents (DES) have garnered significant attention in recent years as a green alternative to traditional organic solvents employed in sample preparation. DES are biodegradable, have low toxicities, ease of synthesis, low cost, and a remarkable ability to extract PACs. However, no comprehensive assessment of the use of DESs for extracting PACs from fuel, food and environmental samples has been performed. This review focused on research involving the utilization of DESs to extract PACs in matrices such as PAHs in environmental samples, NSO-HET in fuels, and bisphenols in foods. Chromatographic methods, such as gas chromatography (GC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), were also revised, considering the sensibility to quantify these compound types. In addition, the characteristics of DES and advantages and limitations for PACs in the context of green analytical chemistry principles (GAC) and green profile based on metrics provide perspective and directions for future development.

Application of magnetic dispersive solid phase extraction combined with solidification of floating organic droplet-based dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction and GC-MS in the extraction and determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in honey

A magnetic dispersive solid phase extraction method combined with solidification of floating organic droplet-based dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction has been validated for the extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from honey samples. For this purpose, a carbonised cellulose-ferromagnetic nanocomposite was used as a sorbent through the magnetic dispersive solid phase extraction. For preparation of the sorbent, first, carbonised cellulose nanoparticles were created by treating cellulose filter paper with concentrated solution of sulfuric acid. Then, the prepared nanoparticles were loaded onto Fe3O4 nanoparticles through coprecipitation. In the extraction process, first, a few mg of the sorbent was added to the diluted honey solution and dispersed in it using vortex agitation. The particles were then separated and the adsorbed analytes were eluted with an organic solvent. The eluent was taken and after mixing with a water-immiscible extraction solvent was used in the following solidification of floating organic droplet-based dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction procedure. By performing the extraction process under the obtained optimum conditions, low limits of detection (0.08-0.17 ng g-1) and quantification (0.27-0.57 ng g-1), satisfactory precision (relative standard deviations ≤ 5.0%), and wide linear range (0.57-500 ng g-1) with great coefficients of determination (r2≥ 0.9986) were obtained.

A green QuEChERS syringe filter based micro-solid phase extraction using hydrophobic natural deep eutectic solvent as immobilized sorbent for simultaneous analysis of five anti-diabetic drugs by HPLC-UV

BACKGROUND

Here, it has been discussed about creating a specific and sustainable analytical technique for monitoring anti-diabetic drugs in order to accurately determine the dosage in patients and reduce side effects, remove them from wastewater (as emerging contaminants), and ultimately abate pharmaceutical pollutants in the environment.

RESULTS

In this research, a green and reproducible Quick Easy Cheap Effective Rugged Safe (QuEChERS) method based on syringe filter based micro-solid phase extraction (SF-μSPE) coupled with HPLC-UV using a green sorbent was developed and optimized for the extraction of five anti-diabetic drugs from wastewater, serum, and plasma real samples. A novel green sorbent composed of a liquid mixture of thymol: menthol ([Thy]:[Men], 1:1) hydrophobic natural deep eutectic solvent (HNADES) and curcumin (Cur) immobilized into the non-toxic and biodegradable polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) electrospun nanofibers' mat was synthesized simply via cheap equipment. Cur was added to enhance the hydrophobicity and functionality of the sorbent. The immobilization process was performed by soaking the mat in the liquid mixture for a specific duration. The correct synthesis and experimental molar ratio of the HNADES components were confirmed by ATR-FTIR and NMR (1H and 13C) spectroscopy. The prepared green sorbent (Cur-HNADES/PVA) was characterized using ATR-FTIR, FE-SEM, EDX/EDX mapping analysis, and water contact angle (WCA) measurement, and it exhibited satisfactory adsorption capacity for the target analytes.

SIGNIFICANCE

Under optimal conditions (pH = 6.0, adsorption cycle = 3, sample volume = 5.0 mL, desorption cycle = 1, type and volume of elution = 80:20 %v/v MeOH/ACN and 500.0 μL), the method was validated in terms of specificity, linear dynamic ranges (LDRs = 0.1-2000.0 μg L-1 and 0.1-1800.0 μg L-1), limits of detection (LODs = 0.03-0.09 μg L-1), and precision (within-day RSDs% = 0.32-1.45% and between-day RSDs% = 0.59-2.03%). Evaluation of the greenness aspects of the proposed method was accomplished using the Green Analytical Procedure Index (GAPI) and Analytical GREEnness (AGREE) approaches. It is noteworthy that the conducted research represents the first report of the synthesis and application of this novel and green sorbent for the determination of anti-diabetic drugs in the mentioned real samples.

Application of electrospun composite nanofibers as an efficient sorbent for extraction of pesticides from food samples

Herein, the composite of polylactic acid (PLA)/ Iron-based metal-organic framework (r-MIL-88A)/ Cellulose electrospun nanofibers was fabricated; and then, applied as a novel sorbent for thin-film micro-extraction (TFME) of four selected pesticides followed by GC-FID analysis. From the evaluation of scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction, the successful fabrication of composite nanaofibers was approved. The presence of r-MIL-88A/Cellulose with large surface area and plenty of OH-functional groups results in improving PLA extraction efficiency. The effect of various main parameters on extraction efficiency was evaluated. The LODs (based on S/N = 3) were in the range of 1.0 to 1.5 ng mL^-1. Intra-day and inter-day relative standard deviations (RSDs) were in the range of 4.8% - 5.6% and 5.2%-6.4%, respectively. In addition, the fiber to fiber relative standard deviations were observed in the range of 5.2%-12.3%. By using the optimized factors, acceptable linearity ranges were obtained in the range of 3.0-1900.0 ng mL^-1 for metribuzin and ethofumasate, and 5.0-2000.0 for atrazine and ametryn (R² = 0.9913-0.9967). The developed method was investigated in fruit juice, vegetables, milk and honey samples, and recoveries (79.3-95.6%) indicate that the PLA/r-MIL-88A/Cellulose can be a prominent composite film for the extraction of the target analytes in various samples.

Magnetic dispersive solid phase extraction of some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from honey samples using iron (III) oxinate nanocomposite as an efficient sorbent

In this work, iron (III) oxinate magnetic nanocomposite was synthesized and employed as an efficient sorbent for the magnetic dispersive solid phase extraction of some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from honey samples. In the following, dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction procedure was used to further preconcentration of the analytes. The prepared sorbent was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer, X-ray diffractometer, vibrating sample magnetometer, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscope, and scanning electron microscope. The results verified the successful formation of the magnetic sorbent. In the extraction process, the sorbent was added into an aqueous solution and the mixture was vortexed. After completing the adsorption process, the supernatant phase was separated in the presence of a magnet and the analytes adsorbed onto sorbent were eluted by acetonitrile. Then, μL-level of 1,1,1-trichloroethane was mixed with the obtained acetonitrile and injected into NaCl solution. Finally, one microliter of the sedimented phase was injected into gas chromatography-flame ionization detector after centrifugation. Under the optimum conditions, a great repeatability (relative standard deviation equal or less than 5 and 6% for intra- and inter day precisions, respectively), acceptable extraction recoveries (59-84%), high enrichment factors (118-168), and low limits of detection and quantification (0.16-0.36 and 0.56-1.22 ng g^-1 , respectively) were acquired. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Optimization of the extraction process of flavonoids from Trollius ledebouri with natural deep eutectic solvents

In recent years, natural deep eutectic solvents have been favored greatly due to their environment friendly, mild biological toxicity and simple biodegradability. Natural deep eutectic solvents gradually applied for the extracting bioactive compounds from natural products efficiently. In this study, 20 natural deep eutectic solvents were prepared and their physical and chemical properties were tested. The ultrasonic-assisted extraction method was used to extract flavonoids from Trollius ledebouri and high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet was applied to examine two main bioactive flavonoids (orientin and vitexin). Compared with traditional solvents (water and 60% ethanol solution), natural deep eutectic solvents composed of L(-)-proline and levulinic acid (molar ratio 1:2) show a super extraction efficiency. On this basis, the response surface method was used to optimize the extraction temperature, extraction time, water contents, and solid-liquid ratio. As a consequence, the extraction temperature 60℃, extraction time 18 min, water content 14% (v/v), and the solid-liquid ratio 48 mL·g^-1 were chosen as the best extraction process. This study shows that natural deep eutectic solvents can effectively extract flavonoids from T. ledebouri, laying a foundation for the further application of natural deep eutectic solvents to extract bioactive compounds from natural products.