Hollow fiber based liquid phase microextraction for the determination of organochlorine pesticides in ecological textiles by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

Non-Target Screening of Chemicals in Selected Cotton Products by GC/MS and Their Safety Assessment

Cotton is used for the production of textiles, hygiene and cosmetic materials. During cultivation and technological processes, various types of substances (surfactants, softeners, lubricants, etc.) penetrate cotton, which can have a harmful effect on both the human body and the environment. The aim of this study was to analyze selected cotton products in order to identify the substances contained and to describe the potential possibilities of inducing textile contact dermatitis (CD). The impact of the identified compounds on the aquatic environment was also taken into account. Nine samples of cotton clothing and seven samples of cotton pads from various manufacturers were tested. Samples after extraction using the FUSLE (Focused Ultrasonic Liquid Extraction) technique were analyzed with GC/MS. Qualitative analysis was based on comparing mass spectra with library spectra using the following mass spectra deconvolution programs: MassHunter (Agilent), AMDIS (NIST), and PARADISE (University of Copenhagen). The parameter confirming the identification of the substance was the retention index. Through the non-target screening process, a total of 36 substances were identified, with an average AMDIS match factor of approximately 900 ("excellent match"). Analyzing the properties of the identified compounds, it can be concluded that most of them have potential properties that can cause CD, also due to the relatively high content in samples. This applies primarily to long-chain alkanes (C25-C31), saturated fatty acids, fatty alcohols (e.g., oleyl alcohol), and fatty acid amides (e.g., oleamide). However, there are not many reports describing cases of cotton CD. Information on the identified groups of compounds may be helpful in the case of unexplained sources of sensitization when the skin comes into contact with cotton materials. Some of the identified compounds are also classified as dangerous for aquatic organisms, especially if they can be released during laundering.

Application of hollow fiber-protected liquid-phase microextraction combined with GC-MS in determining Endrin, Chlordane, and Dieldrin in rice samples

This paper introduces a novel and minimized sample preparation technique based on hollow fiber-protected liquid-phase microextraction that can be used in joint with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) detection to extract three organochlorine pesticides-Endrin, Chlordane, and Dieldrin-from rice samples. To that end, a single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) and a proper ionic liquid (IL) were ultrasonically dispersed and injected into the lumen of hollow fiber as the extraction phase for preconcentrating and extracting the target analytes from the rice samples. The effects of the type of nanoparticles, ILs, and desorption solvent on the efficiency of extracting the analytes were investigated based on the one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) approach. In addition, other parameters influencing the extraction procedure were optimized using an experimental design that decreased the number of experiments, reagent consumption, and costs. Under optimized conditions, the limits of detection and quantification in determining mentioned pesticides varied between 0.019-0.029 and 0.064-0.098 ng mL-1, respectively. The calibration graphs to measure Endrin, Chlordane, and Dieldrin were linear over the concentration range of 0.064-13.2, 0.098-16.7, and 0.092-11.4 ng mL-1, respectively. The relative standard deviations for inter-day and intra-day analysis were below 7.06 and 4.75% for the triplicate determination of three organochlorine pesticides. Besides, the relative recoveries and standard deviations of Endrin, Chlordane, and Dieldrin for analyzing several Iranian rice samples were between 86.0-92.9% and 4.5-5.8%, respectively. The results were compared with other similar works in literature, proving that the proposed method is efficient and useful for routine monitoring of organochlorine compounds in food samples.

Application of an improved hollow fiber liquid phase microextraction technique coupled to LC-MS/MS to studying migration of fluorescent whitening agents from plastic food contact materials

In this paper, a new hollow fiber liquid-phase microextraction method was developed to improve the extraction of five fluorescent whitening agents that migrated from plastics food contact materials. Influencing factors, such as the types of membrane, the extraction solvent, the stirring speed, the addition of salt ion, and extraction time, were investigated in detail. Under the optimal conditions, high enrichment factors (71-205) can be obtained with 15 μL extraction solvent. The new method is advantageous; the polypropylene hollow fiber membrane modified by sepiolite nanoparticles had excellent solvent binding force and mass transfer effect compared with the conventional extraction technique. The extracts were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, the limits of detection were 0.3 or 0.9 ng kg^-1 with good correlation coefficients (r² ≥ 0.9940) for the five fluorescent whitening agents. The intra-day and inter-day recoveries ranged between 82.6% and 112%, with a relative standard deviation of less than 12%. The established method was successfully applied to the analysis of fluorescent whitening agent migration from four types of plastic food contact materials immersed in three food simulants.

Parallel artificial liquid membrane extraction of organophosphorus nerve agent degradation products from environmental samples

An emerging miniaturized high-throughput microextraction technique named Parallel artificial liquid membrane extraction (PALME) was, for the first time, investigated for the extraction of polar alkyl methylphosphonic acids (AMPAs) that are the degradation products of organophosphorus nerve agents. The effect of the key-parameters of the extraction method (nature of the membrane, of the extraction solvent, of the pH values of both donor and acceptor phases, agitation speed, extraction time, temperature and ionic strength) on the extraction recoveries was studied in spiked pure water samples. This led to extraction recoveries in the range of 25-102% for the 5 targeted analytes from water with enrichment factors in the range of 4.50-42.75. The developed PALME-LC-MS/MS method was first evaluated with spiked pure water. LOQs (S/N ≥ 10) were in the range of 0.009-1.141 ng mL^-1, linearity above 0.9973 for all the AMPAs and with RSD values below 11%. This method was then applied on simulated waste water, river water and aqueous soil extracts. The achieved LOQs were in the range of 0.011-1.210, 0.013-1.196 and 0.016-6.810 ng mL^-1, respectively. A detailed comparison of the performances of this PALME method with those of a previously developed hollow fiber liquid-phase microextraction methods already applied to AMPAs was done thus allowing to demonstrate the easy transfer of methods from HF-LPME to PALME. Moreover, the high-throughput potential of PALME was revealed since 192 samples were processed in parallel during 120 min (37.5 s/sample).

Innovative Approach to the Creation of Textile Materials with Antimicrobial Properties

Introduction. In recent years, there has been a constant search for more advanced and environmentally friendlymeans for antimicrobial treatment of cellulose-containing tissues of various intended uses in the textile industry.Problem Statement. The problem of protection of textile materials and products from microbiological destruction is complex and multifaceted and needs to be solved. Today, one of the methods of protection is to provide textile materials with biocidal properties, which not only prevents the growth of bacteria, but can also ensure a high level of tissue safety. Therefore, we are faced with the task of finding new safe biocidal products.Purpose. The research has been made to determine the level of safety of textile materials treated by biocidalsubstances with the thiosulfonate structure including Ethylthiosulfanilate, Methylthiosulfanilate and Allylthiosulfanilate.Materials and Methods. The fabrics of different chemical composition were used in the study, designed for themanufacture of overalls. New preparations of thiosulfonate structure were chosen for impregnation: ethylthiosulfanilate (ETS), methylthiosulfanilate (MTS) and allylthiosulfanilate (ATS). The presence of heavy metals and pesticides was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry with the use of a ZEENIT 650P spectrometer (Germany).Results. It has been established that the detected level of heavy metals and pesticides in the studied textile materials is insignificant and is within the regulatory requirements. It has been confirmed that the studied biocidal substances are low-toxic and environmentally friendly, because before and after treatment they did not change the hygienic parameters of tissues. A method for imparting biocidal properties to textile materials for the manufacture of overalls, in particular by impregnating textile materials with an alcoholic solution of biocidal products, has been developed. Also due to this treatment, the water absorption of materials decreases by an average of 40%.Conclusions. The treatment of textile materials with biocidal preparations of the thiosulfonate structure allowsobtaining simultaneously two desired effects for these fabrics: the appropriate bioresistance and water resistance. 

Combining graphite with hollow-fiber liquid-phase microextraction for improving the extraction efficiency of relatively polar organic compounds

In this study, we have developed a simple and effective hybrid extraction method based on the incorporation of raw carbon nanosorbents and octanol in the pores of a hollow-fiber membrane for improving the extraction efficiency of relatively polar organic compounds. Trihalomethanes (THMs) were used as model analytes. Three types of carbon nanosorbents (graphite, graphene, and multi-walled carbon nanotubes) were studied. The carbon sorbent incorporating membrane was used in a two-phase mode liquid-phase microextraction, with 1-octanol as the acceptor solution. Using a graphite-reinforced hollow-fiber membrane and an extraction time of 10 min, enrichment factors of 40-71 were obtained for trichloromethane, bromodichloromethane, bromoform, and chlorodibromomethane. Linear working ranges of 0.2-100 μg L^-1 and limits of detection ranging from 0.01 μg L^-1 (for CHCl₂Br and CHClBr₂) to 0.1 μg L^-1 (for CHCl₃) were achieved. The minimum detectable concentrations were far below the maximum concentration levels (60-200 μg L^-1) set by the WHO for drinking water. The carbon-sorbent-reinforced hollow-fiber liquid-phase microextraction afforded higher extraction efficiency and shorter extraction time compared with conventional hollow-fiber liquid-phase microextraction. Finally, the method was applied to the analysis of real water samples, such as drinking water, tap water, and swimming pool water samples.

Applications of Hollow-Fiber and Related Microextraction Techniques for the Determination of Pesticides in Environmental and Food Samples—A Mini Review

Pesticides represent one of the most important groups of analytes in environmental analysis. Moreover, their levels are very frequently determined in food and beverages due to the concern over their possible adverse health effects. Their concentration in samples is usually very low; thus, they have to be preconcentrated. Conventional solvent and solid-phase extractions are mainly used for this purpose, but miniaturized approaches are also being applied more and more often. The present review covers solvent microextractions that use a semi-permeable membrane barrier between the sample and the solvent. The main representatives of this approach are hollow-fiber microextraction (HFME), solvent bar microextraction (SBME), electromembrane extraction (EME), and different variations of those, such as combinations with other sorbent or solvent microextractions, electromigration, etc. The relevant research from the last decade, dealing with the application of these microextractions to the isolation of pesticides from various environmental and food samples, is critically discussed with emphasis on their strengths and weak points.

Bract as a novel extraction phase in thin-film SPME combined with 96-well plate system for the high-throughput determination of estrogens in human urine by liquid chromatography coupled to fluorescence detection

In this study, an environmentally friendly and high-throughput method was developed for the determination of estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) and estriol (E3) in human urine by liquid chromatography-fluorescence detector (HPLC-FLD). A biosorbent (bract) was proposed as extraction phase for Thin-Film SPME combined with 96-well system. The characterization of the biosorbent was performed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The optimizations were carried out through univariate and multivariate approaches with optimal conditions comprised of urine samples diluted 40-fold, liquid desorption performed in methanol and addition of 20% (w/v) of NaCl in the sample. Considering an extraction/desorption cycle using the 96-well plate system, the sample preparation time was 1.7 min per sample, which contributes to the high-throughput of the method proposed. The analytical parameters of merit were determined and satisfactory results were achieved, including limits of detection ranging from 0.3 μg L^-1 for estradiol to 3 μg L^-1 for estrone, while limits of quantification varied from 1 μg L^-1 for estradiol to 10 μg L^-1 for estrone. The correlation coefficients ranged from 0.9947 for estrone to 0.9999 for estriol. The accuracy and intra-assay and intermediate precisions (RSD) were evaluated through extractions in diluted urine samples (40-fold) spiked with each analyte (1, 200 and 400 μg L^-1 for E3; 0.1, 200 and 400 μg L^-1 for E2; 0.5, 200 and 400 μg L^-1 for EE2 and 10, 200 and 400 μg L^-1 for E1). The relative recoveries (n = 3) ranged from 71 to 105%, intra-assay precision (n = 3) varied from 1 to 17% and intermediate precision (n = 9) ranged from 2 to 19%. The method developed can be successfully used for the quantification of estrogens in human urine samples.

Application of activated carbon-decorated polyacrylonitrile nanofibers as an adsorbent in dispersive solid-phase extraction of fluoroquinolones from wastewater

A cheap and simple sample preparation method, consisting of a dispersive solid-phase method and an adsorbent, activated carbon decorated PAN nanofibers, was employed and used for the extraction of antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, danofloxacin, and enrofloxacin) in wastewater. Electrospun PAN nanofibers that were decorated with activated carbon produced from waste tires were used as the solid phase and the antibiotics analyzed by using high-performance liquid chromatography. Parameters such as pH, mass of adsorbent (MA), extraction volume (EV), and extraction time (ET) were optimized owing to their potential effect on the extraction of antibiotics from water. The recovery of all antibiotics was satisfactory, in the range of 90%–99%. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.05, 0.11, 0.20, and 0.53, 1.21, 2.17 µg/L, respectively. The precision was determined from the repeatability and reproducibility and expressed as the intra-day (n = 20) and inter-day (n = 5) precision. The intra-day and inter-day precision was reported in terms of the percentage relative standard deviation, which was 3% and 4%, respectively. The adsorption capacity of the activated carbon-decorated PAN nanofibers was satisfactory, and the reusability of the adsorbent was impressive when reused ten times. The accuracy of the dispersive solid phase extraction (DSPE) was validated by spike recovery tests; the results proved the reliability and efficiency of adsorbing antibiotics from wastewater. Finally, the proposed method was applied to wastewater samples collected from a wastewater treatment plant, which included influent, secondary, and effluent wastewater.

New passive sampling device for effective monitoring of pesticides in water

The extensive use of pesticides promotes environmental contamination, mainly in surface and ground waters. However, they remain at very low concentration and present wide degradation level requiring the use of efficient devices for pesticides passive sampling. In this study, a new in situ passive sampling device was developed for monitoring and estimating time-weighted average (TWA) of pesticides in waters. The device was made with simple, recyclable and cheap materials. The sampling system involves the liquid phase microextraction technique with hollow fiber in two-phases mode. Pesticides determination was done by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The method was optimized and validated for the determination of 29 pesticides in water, showing good linearity in the range between 0.012 and 40.00 μg L^-1 with determination coefficients of R² > 0,9649. Limit of detection (LOD) ranged from 0.009 to 0.557 μg L^-1 and limit of quantification (LOQ) from 0.012 to 0.802 μg L^-1. The recoveries of spiked pesticides in water samples were in the range from 96 to 130%. The method was applied to forty environmental water samples collected at São Francisco river basin, Brazil. The highest detection frequency was found for the pesticides 4,4-DDE, 4,4-DDD and propazine. They were detected in more than 20 percent of the samples.

An efficient cleanup method coupled with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry for multi-pesticides residue analysis in complex plant matrices

We aimed to develop an efficient cleanup method for multi-pesticides residue analysis in complex plant matrices, shallot, ginger, garlic, onion, leek, and celery. Column chromatography was used as the cleanup method and fabricated with florisil and graphitized carbon black as the adsorbents. The amount of the graphitized carbon black adsorbent and the choice of the elution solvent were systematically investigated for exploring the best combination. The target pesticides covered organochlorine, pyrethroid, and organophosphorus pesticides, and were 38 in total. The method validation and comparison were performed to verify its feasibility and advantages in operation convenience and purification efficiency. The method limit of quantitation varied from 0.01 to 0.03 mg/kg, which depends on the pesticides and the sample matrices. The recoveries of the pesticides ranged from 60.5 to 128% (RSD ≤ 19.0%) at the spiked concentration level of 0.01 (or 0.03) mg/kg and 62.9 to 130% (RSD ≤ 13.0%) at 0.1 mg/kg. Compared with the commercial cleanup solid-phase extraction cartridges, the present adsorbent combination displayed better purification effect and shorter sample pretreatment time, demonstrating potential application prospect in the complex matrix sample analysis.

Simultaneous synthesis of a deep eutectic solvent and its application in liquid–liquid microextraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from aqueous samples

New generation of solvents, named deep eutectic solvents, were simultaneously synthesized and used as an extraction solvent in a liquid–liquid microextraction method for the extraction and preconcentration of some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.