Magnetic Field-Assisted Direct Immersion SPME of Endogenous Aldehydes in Human Urine

Theory and protocol of dual mode unity solid-phase microextraction

The solid-phase microextraction (SPME) bias problem limits comprehensive analysis of volatile compounds in real samples. The study introduces dual mode unity solid-phase microextraction (DMU-SPME) as a novel SPME mode to achieve balanced extraction of both volatile and low-volatile compounds. The DMU-SPME method exhibits excellent linearity (R2 ≥ 0.994), low quantitation limits (0.12-240 μg/L), and notable stability (relative standard deviations below 20 % for both intra-day and inter-day analyses). In practical application to soy sauce, the DMU-SPME method identified a total of 107 compounds, encompassing all those detected by both headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and direct immersion solid-phase microextraction (DI-SPME). Theoretical insights indicate that DMU-SPME is less influenced by Kfs0 and Kfs in comparison to HS/DI-SPME, rendering it suitable for complex matrices containing both volatile and low-volatile compounds. In conclusion, DMU-SPME emerges as a highly effective extraction mode for analyzing volatile and low-volatile compounds in food, medical, and environmental samples.

A simple and portable vacuum assisted headspace solid phase microextraction device coupled to gas chromatography based on covalent organic framework/metal organic framework hybrid for simultaneous analysis of volatile and semi-volatile compounds in soil

Various microextraction methods have demonstrated a positive effect when assisted by vacuum. However, working with such systems is often laborious, they often require expensive and non-portable vacuum pumps, and may even suck off some sample vapor or solid particles during the evacuation process. To address these issues, a simple, and affordable vacuum-assisted headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) device was developed in this study. The device, named In Syringe Vacuum-assisted HS-SPME (ISV-HS-SPME), utilizes an adjustable 40 mL glass syringe as a vacuum provider and sampling vessel. A new fiber coating, made from a hybrid of covalent triazine-based frameworks and metal-organic frameworks (COF/MOF), was prepared and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller techniques for use in the ISV-HS-SPME. By optimizing parameters such as extraction temperature, extraction time, desorption temperature, desorption time, and, humidity using a simplex method, the ISV system was found to increase the extraction efficiency of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) in solid samples by up to 175%. The determinations were followed by GC-FID measurements. Compared to three commercially available fibers, the ISV-HS-SPME device with the COF/MOF (2DTP/MIL-101-Cr) fiber exhibited significantly higher peak areas for PAHs and BTEX. The linear dynamic ranges for BTEX and PAHs were 7.1-9000 ng g-1 and 0.23-9000 ng g-1, respectively, with limits of detection ranging from 2.1-5 ng g-1 for BTEX and 0.07-1.6 ng g-1 for PAHs. The relative standard deviation of the method was 2.6-7.8% for BTEX and 1.6-6.7% for PAHs. The ISV-HS-SPME was successfully used to simultaneously determine PAHs and BTEX in polluted soil samples with recoveries ranging from 80.4 to 108%.

Magnetic fiber headspace solid-phase microextraction of Ferulago angulata volatile components using Preyssler-type polyoxometalate/metal-organic framework/silica aerogel sorbent

A new hybrid of silica aerogel with a Preyssler-type polyoxometalate and MIL-101(Cr) metal-organic framework was prepared and used as a highly porous fiber coating for headspace solid-phase microextraction of Ferulago angulata volatile components. Applying a permanent magnetic field to the sorbent increased the extraction efficiency for most of the plant's components, up to 5.53 times. Optimization of the extraction parameters was carried out using a GC-MS instrument and by a simplex method. The extraction efficiency of the P5W30/MIL-101(Cr)/silica aerogel fiber exceeded 3.5 times of a mesoporous SBA-15 fiber. The prepared fiber was stable in multiple injections with relative standard deviations of 5.3 to 10.9% for 5 replicates. The proposed method was successfully applied to the extraction and identification of volatile components of some F. angulata samples. According to the results obtained by GC-FID, β-bourbonene, β-gurjunene, β-elemene and cedrenol were the main components of the plant.

An ultrasound-assisted pressure-regulated solid-phase microextraction setup for fast and sensitive analysis of volatile pollutants in contaminated soil

Release of analytes from their native matrix and diffusion into the gas phase is the rate-limiting step for the sampling of volatiles in complex solid samples. This limitation is more serious in the solvent-less and solvent-free microextraction sampling strategies. In this research, a three-stage reinforced sampling strategy including high-pressure/sonication/low-pressure was introduced for fast and efficient release of analytes in soil samples. For this purpose, a novel ultrasound-assisted pressure-regulated solid-phase microextraction (UA-PR-SPME) device was developed. It was coupled with gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and carried out for the determination of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX, as the model analytes) in complex solid samples. Graphene oxide/3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (GO-APTES) nanocomposite was synthesized and used as the SPME fiber coating. Under optimal conditions, the limits of detection (LODs) were obtained 0.1-0.4 ng/g. The calibration curves were linear over the range of 2.4-5000 ng/g. Relative standard deviations (RSDs%) were calculated 5.1-7.0% (n = 6). The developed technique was employed for the analysis of BTEX in contaminated soil samples.

Headspace solid-phase microextraction sampling of endogenous aldehydes in biological fluids using a magnetic metal-organic framework/polyaniline nanocomposite

Nanoporosity, crystal structure, good thermal and mechanical stability, high surface-to-volume ratio, nanoscale cavities, and uniform pore topology have made metal-organic frameworks one of the best class of sorbents for adsorption/separation purposes. In this research, a metal-organic framework/polyaniline magnetite nanocomposite was synthesized and intercalated by polyaniline by electrophoretic deposition on the surface of a thin steel wire, to prepare a solid-phase microextraction fiber. It was coupled with gas chromatography-flame ionization detection and employed for the extraction and determination of aldehydes in biological samples. The magnetic nanocomposite was characterized using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the calibration curves were linear in the range of 0.01-1 and 0.1-1 µg/L for hexanal and heptanal, respectively. The limits of detections for hexanal and heptanal were 0.001 and 0.01 µg/L, respectively. Intrafiber repeatability for six replicate analyses of 0.2 µg/L of the analytes was over the range 3.5-7.1%. Interfiber (fiber-to-fiber) reproducibility, calculated by six replicate analyses of the same concentration using three different fibers, and was found to be 10.4-15.7%. The developed procedure was successfully utilized for the analysis of hexanal and heptanal in human plasma and urine samples.

Electrochemically Fabricated Solid Phase Microextraction Fibers and Their Applications in Food, Environmental and Clinical Analysis

Background:

Designing an analytical methodology for complicated matrices, such as biological and environmental samples, is difficult since the sample preparation procedure is the most demanding step affecting the whole analytical process. Nowadays, this step has become more challenging by the legislations and environmental concerns since it is a prerequisite to eliminate or minimize the use of hazardous substances in traditional procedures by replacing with green techniques suitable for the sample matrix.

Methods:

In addition to the matrix, the nature of the analyte also influence the ease of creating green analytical techniques. Recent developments in the chemical analysis provide us new methodologies introducing microextraction techniques and among them, solid phase microextraction (SPME) has emerged as a simple, fast, low cost, reliable and portable sample preparation technique that minimizes solvent consumption.

Results:

The use of home-made fibers is popular in the last two decades since the selectivity can be tuned by changing the surface characteristics through chemical and electrochemical modifications. Latter technique is preferred since the electroactive polymers can be coated onto the fiber under controlled electrochemical conditions and the film thicknesses can be adjusted by simply changing the deposition parameters. Thermal resistance and mechanical strength can be readily increased by incorporating different dopant ions into the polymeric structure and selectivity can be tuned by inserting functional groups and nanostructures. A vast number of analytes with wide range of polarities extracted by this means can be determined with a suitable chromatographic detector coupled to the system. Therefore, the main task is to improve the physicochemical properties of the fiber along with the extraction efficiency and selectivity towards the various analytes by adjusting the electrochemical preparation conditions.

Conclusion:

This review covers the fine tuning conditions practiced in electrochemical preparation of SPME fibers and in-tube systems and their applications in environmental, food and clinical analysis.

Magnetic fiber headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled to GC-MS for the extraction and quantitation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

A technique was developed for magnetic fiber headspace-solid phase microextraction (MF-HS-SPME) of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The efficiency of the extraction of a steel SPME fiber coated with an aminoethyl-functionalized SBA-15 (Santa Barbara Amorphous 15; a nanoporous sorbent) is substantially improved after its magnetization during HS-SPME. The effects of magnetic field strength, extraction temperature, extraction time, moisture content of the sample, desorption time and desorption temperature were optimized using a simplex method. The application of a moderately strong magnetic field to the fiber results in up to 135% increase in the extraction efficiency and wider linear dynamic ranges. The PAHs (specifically naphthalene, acenaphthene, fluorene, anthracene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene and pyrene) were then quantified by GC-MS analysis. Comparison of an electromagnet and a permanent magnet indicated the superior effect of the permanent magnet for the target analytes due to the Ohmic heating of the magnetic coil and its negative effect on the extraction of some of the PAHs. The limits of detections of the PAHs are between 0.17 to 0.57 ng g^-1 by using the electromagnet, and between 0.10 and 0.32 ng g^-1 for the permanent magnet. Relative standard deviations of 2.9 to 7.6% were obtained for six replicated analyses of the analytes. The method was applied to some polluted soil samples, and satisfactory results were obtained. Graphical abstract Schematic representation of the designed magnetic fiber headspace solid-phase microextraction (MF-HS-SPME) system using (a) an electromagnet, (b) a pair of permanent disc magnets.