Supported liquid membranes for sampling and sample preparation of pesticides in water

Application of Ion Mobility Spectrometry for Permeability Studies of Organic Substances through Polymeric Materials

Drift tube ion mobility spectrometers (DT IMS) allow the concentration of different organic compounds to be measured. This gives the opportunity to use these detectors in measuring the penetration of various substances through polymer membranes. Permeation measurements of two substances (2-heptanone and dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP)) through a cylindrical silicone rubber membrane were carried out. The membrane separated the aqueous solution from the air. The analyte was introduced into water, and then its concentration in air on the opposite side of the membrane was recorded. Based on the dynamics of detector signal changes, the diffusion coefficients for both tested substances were determined. Determination of permeability coefficients was based on precise quantitative measurements, which took into account the non-linearity of the detector characteristics and the effect of water on detection sensitivity. The analysis of measurement results was based on a mathematical description of diffusion process.

Green Approaches to Sample Preparation Based on Extraction Techniques

Preparing a sample for analysis is a crucial step of many analytical procedures. The goal of sample preparation is to provide a representative, homogenous sample that is free of interferences and compatible with the intended analytical method. Green approaches to sample preparation require that the consumption of hazardous organic solvents and energy be minimized or even eliminated in the analytical process. While no sample preparation is clearly the most environmentally friendly approach, complete elimination of this step is not always practical. In such cases, the extraction techniques which use low amounts of solvents or no solvents are considered ideal alternatives. This paper presents an overview of green extraction procedures and sample preparation methodologies, briefly introduces their theoretical principles, and describes the recent developments in food, pharmaceutical, environmental and bioanalytical chemistry applications.

Equilibrium sampling through membranes (ESTM) of acidic organic pollutants using hollow fibre modules in continuous steady-state mode

Hollow fibre (HF) membrane modules were applied in continuous mode for equilibrium sampling through membranes (ESTM) of polar organic pollutants. Phenolic compounds (chlorophenols, cresols and phenol) served as model substances and ESTM was tuned towards the measurement of freely dissolved concentrations (C(free)). HF membrane modules were constructed using thin-walled membrane, 1-m module length and low packing density in order to optimise the uptake kinetics of the analytes into the acceptor solution. Such custom made devices were tested and compared to commercially available modules. The former modules performed best for continuous ESTM. The custom made modules provided steady-state equilibrium within 20-40 min and enrichment that was in general agreement with calculated distribution ratios between acceptor and sample. In experiments during which sample concentration was changed, acceptor response time to decreased sample concentration was around 30 min for custom built modules. In the presence of commercial humic acids, analytes showed lower steady-state enrichment, which is due to a decrease in C(free). Continuous ESTM may be automated and is suggested for use in online determination of C(free) of pollutants and studies on sorption of pollutants. Future studies should include optimisation of the membrane liquid and factors regarding the residence time of the acceptor solution in the fibre lumen. Qualitative aspects of DOM should also be included, as natural DOM can be fractionated. C(free) could be correlated to DOM properties that have previously been shown to influence sorption, such as aromaticity, carboxylic acid content and molecular size.

Automated, on-line membrane extraction

Over the last few years, membranes have been used to develop new approaches in analytical extraction, concentration and cleanup. An important advantage of membrane processes is that the sample and the extraction phase can be continuously brought into contact without physical mixing, and may be directly interfaced to an analytical instrument. This provides the basis for automated, real-time monitoring. Membrane extraction has been applied to a wide range of organic and inorganic analytes, and has been directly interfaced with chromatography, spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Implementations of membrane extraction are diverse, encompassing different types of membranes, module designs and configurations. This review highlights some of these, and particularly the unique capabilities in automated, and on-line measurements.

Liquid-phase micro-extraction techniques in pesticide residue analysis

Modern trends in analytical chemistry are towards the simplification and miniaturization of sample preparation, as well as the minimization of organic solvent used. In view of this aspect, several novel micro-extraction techniques are being developed in order to reduce the analysis step, increase the sample throughput and to improve the quality and the sensitivity of analytical methods. One of the emerging techniques in this area is liquid-phase micro-extraction (LPME). It is a miniaturized implementation of conventional liquid/liquid extraction (LLE) in which only microliters of solvents are used instead of several hundred milliliters in LLE. It is quick, inexpensive and can be automated. In the last few years, LPME has been combined with liquid chromatography (LC) and capillary electrophoresis (CE), besides the generally used coupling to gas chromatography (GC), and has been applied to various matrices, including biological, environmental, and food samples. This work is aimed at providing an overview of the major developments of LPME, coupled with chromatography and CE, as reported in the literature. The paper will focus on the application of the technique to different matrices and the aim is to reveal the panorama of opportunities and to try to indicate the potential of LPME in pesticide analysis. A critical review of the first applications to pesticide analyses is presented in the main part of the manuscript. The optimization of LPME as well as advantages and disadvantages are discussed. It is concluded that, because of its high pre-concentration factor, LPME can be introduced with benefit into water analysis for several pesticide groups. In particular, the application of LPME to non-polar pesticides in environmental analysis appears to be promising. However, similar to other micro-extraction techniques, such as solid phase micro-extraction (SPME), serious limitations still remain when analyzing semi-solid and solid environmental, food or biological matrices and/or highly polar compounds. Thus, other pre-concentration techniques may be a good alternative if an analytical problem cannot be sufficiently dealt with LPME.

Measurement of nitrophenols in air samples by impinger sampling and supported liquid membrane micro-extraction

A sensitive analytical technique for the detection of trace nitrophenols in air has been developed. The steps in this process are impinger sampling to capture the nitrophenols in an aqueous phase, which is then followed by supported liquid membrane micro-extraction (SLMME) and analytical detection. The nitrophenols were analyzed by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and did not require any derivatization. Method detection limits (MDL) of 0.5-1.0 ng L(-1) from aqueous solutions and 3.1-46.7 ppbV from air extractions were observed. The high enrichment of nitrophenol in SLMME allowed low detection limits even with HPLC-UV detection. SLMME is an inexpensive, easy to use procedure that employs disposable membrane fibers.

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of phenolic compounds in natural water coupled with on-line flow injection membrane extraction-preconcentration

A liquid chromatographic method for determination of trace phenolic compounds has been established, coupled with an on-line supported liquid membrane extraction-preconcentration flow-injection system. Tributyl-phosphate dissolved in kerosene was used as the carrier of the supported liquid membrane. Four phenolic compounds (phenol, catechol, resorcinol and hydroquinone) were chosen as the model compounds and the experiment conditions were optimized. Under the optimum conditions, calibrations were linear in the range of 1-500 microg/L, with good correlation coefficients (r > 0.999). The total analysis time of the system was 22 min, including the membrane extraction, liquid chromatographic separation and equilibration times.

Determination of trace levels of dinitrophenolic compounds in environmental water samples using hollow fiber supported liquid membrane extraction and high performance liquid chromatography

A hollow fiber supported liquid membrane extraction method for the liquid chromatographic determination of dinitrophenolic compounds at ppt levels has been developed. Different variables affecting the extraction process, such as extraction time, shaking speed, acceptor pH, acceptor buffer concentration, salt content and humic acids have been studied. Enrichment factors up to 7000 times were obtained. Validation of the method included calibration experiments and studies of the linearity of the responses in different matrices. Good linearity was obtained in the environmental matrices evaluated. Detection limits range from 6.0 to 8.0 ng/L, and the relative standard deviations do not exceed 7% in terms of repeatability.

Determination of organophosphorus pesticides using membrane-assisted solvent extraction combined with large volume injection-gas chromatography-mass spectrometric detection

Eight organophosphorus pesticides (parathion-methyl, fenitrothion, malathion, fenthion, bromophos, bromophos-ethyl, fenamiphos and ethion) in aqueous samples were analysed by means of membrane-assisted solvent extraction. First a 20 ml extraction vial was filled with 15 ml of aqueous sample. Then the membrane bag consisting of nonporous polypropylene was put into the vial and filled with 800 microl of organic solvent. The analytes were separated from the aqueous layer by transporting them through the membrane material into the small amount of solvent. The technique was fully automated and successfully combinable with large volume extraction and GC-MS. To achieve an optimum performance several extraction conditions were investigated. Cyclohexane was chosen as acceptor phase. Then the impact of salt, methanol, pH value, as well as working parameters like stirring rate of the agitator and extraction time, were studied. Moreover, the influence of matrix effects was examined by adding different concentrations of humic acid sodium salt. Detection limits in the ng/l level were achieved using large volume injection with the injecting volume of 100 microl. The recovery values ranged from 47 to 100% and the relative standard deviation for three standard measurements was between 4 and 12% (except for bromophos-ethyl: 22%). The linear dynamic range was between 0.001 and 70 microg/l. The applicability of the method to real samples was tested by spiking the eight organophosphorus pesticides to red wine, white wine and apple juice samples.

Immuno-SLM—a combined sample handling and analytical technique

Immuno-supported liquid membrane (immuno-SLM) extraction is a new technique that makes use of antibody (Ab)-antigen interactions as the "extraction force" to drive the mass transfer in a selective way. In immuno-SLM, anti-analyte (Ag) Abs are introduced into the acceptor phase of the SLM unit to trap the Ag that passes from the flowing donor through the SLM into the stagnant acceptor. The amount of immuno-extracted analyte (AbAg) is quantified by connecting the immuno-SLM unit on-line with a non-competitive heterogeneous fluorescence flow immunoassay (FFIA) that makes use of a fluorescein-labeled analyte tracer that titrates the residual excess of Ab present in the acceptor. A restricted access (RA) column is used for the separation of the two tracer fractions (Ag* and AbAg*) formed, and the eluted AbAg* fraction is measured downstream by a fluorescence detector. Factors influencing the optimum immuno-SLM extraction parameters, i.e., donor flow rate, extraction time and type of Ab, were investigated for immuno extraction of the model analyte atrazine. Immuno-SLM coupled to FFIA (immuno-SLM-FFIA) and FFIA alone were compared in terms of the assay sensitivities obtained and the sample matrix influence. The concentration at the mid-point of the calibration curve (IC(50)) was 16.0+/-1.4 and 36+/-16 microg/l, the limit of detection (LOD) was 2.0+/-1.1 and 20+/-10 microg/l, and the dynamic range was 2-100 and 20-500 microg/l atrazine for immuno-SLM-FFIA and FFIA, respectively. The matrix influence on the FFIA was significant in orange juice and surface water, whereas the influence was minor for immuno-SLM-FFIA with recoveries between 104% and 115% for 5 microg/l atrazine in tap water, orange juice and river water.

Simultaneous Extraction and Concentration by On-Line Hollow Fiber Membrane Extraction

In the determination of trace-level pollutants in water, a concentration step is usually needed between extraction and analysis. In this paper, simultaneous extraction and concentration during on-line analysis using hollow fiber membranes is reported. Solvent loss across the membrane resulted in simultaneous concentration during extraction and had pronounced influence on enrichment factor and extraction efficiency. This phenomenon is an important consideration for analytical methods employing solvent extraction across a membrane, because it is possible to eliminate the concentration step. Continuous on-line monitoring of semivolatile compounds was achieved using this approach, and the effects of process variables on enrichment and extraction efficiency were studied. It was found that enrichment increased with solvent loss, even when the extraction efficiency decreased.

Adsorption of pesticides on resins

The objective of this work was to assess the capability of organic hydrophobic polymeric resins Amberlite XAD-4 and XAD-7 to remove the pesticides alachlor and amitrole from water. The pesticides adsorption on the two different adsorbents was measured by batch equilibrium technique and isotherm types and parameters were estimated. Two theoretical models were applied based on a Freundlich and a Langmuir isotherms. The effect of pesticides chemical composition and structure as well as the nature of solid surface on the efficiency of adsorption was evaluated. The influence of pH also was studied. In low pH solutions adsorption of amitrole was higher upon the nonionic aliphatic acrylic ester copolymer XAD-7 in comparison to the nonionic, crosslinked macroreticular copolymer of styrene divinylbenzene XAD-4. In neutral and intermediate pH solutions the polar acrylic ester copolymer XAD-7 was more effective to the retention of alachlor. The acrylic ester copolymer showed at pH 3 the lower effectiveness in alachlor removal from water. The data of the adsorption isotherms of pesticides upon the examined polymeric resins seemed to conform to both the Freundlich and the Langmuir isotherm models.

Development and validation of a high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of clomazone residues in surface water

A method is described for the determination of clomazone residues in surface water by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. The method involves solid-phase extraction with C18 extraction tubes. Clomazone was separated on a C18 column with a mobile phase of methanol-water (65:35, v/v) at pH 4.0 and a flow-rate of 1.0 ml/min. After optimization of the extraction and separation conditions, the method was validated. The method developed can be used for determination of clomazone in surface water, at the limit of 0.1 mcirog/l set by the European Union drinking water directive, with a 400-fold preconcentration.

Analytical applications of membrane extraction in chromatography and electrophoresis

An overview of the analytical applications of membrane-based systems for sample enrichment in chromatography and capillary electrophoresis is presented. A brief introduction to the different types of membranes and the main forces related to the transport through them is also given.

Multiresidue methods using solid-phase extraction techniques for monitoring priority pesticides, including triazines and degradation products, in ground and surface waters

The review describes the use of solid-phase extraction (SPE) techniques for monitoring priority pesticides in ground and surface waters. The focus is on triazine herbicides and their degradation products. Data concerning the fate, occurrence, properties and extraction of triazines and their degradation products using different SPE techniques are tabulated and discussed.

Use of solid-phase extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography for the determination of triazine residues in water: validation of the method

A method for determination of some triazine residues in water has been developed. The method involves concentration with C18 solid-phase extraction cartridges followed by high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis using a C18 column with UV detection at 230 nm, a mobile phase of methanol-water (60:40, v/v) at pH 4.6 (phosphoric acid) and a flow-rate of 0.8 ml/min. After optimization of the extraction and separation conditions, the method was validated. The method can be used for determination of atrazine, simazine, cyanazine and ametryn in water, within the international limits of 0.1 microg/l.

Membrane-based sample preparation coupled on-line to chromatography or electrophoresis

A review on the use of membranes for on-line sample preparation prior to chromatographic and electrophoretic analysis is provided. The current state-of-the-art of four membrane-based techniques (dialysis, electrodialysis, filtration and membrane extraction) is described by reviewing their principles and applications. Possible future developments are discussed.

Determination of bentazon residues in water by high-performance liquid chromatography. Validation of the method

A method for determination of bentazon residues in water has been developed. The method involves solid-phase extraction with C18 extraction tubes and high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis. A C18 column and guard column were used with UV detection at 230 nm, a mobile phase of methanol-water (60:40, v/v) at pH 4.6 (phosphoric acid) and a flow-rate of 0.8 ml/min. After optimization of the extraction and separation conditions, the method was validated. The method developed can be used for determination of bentazon in water, within the international limits of 0.1 microgram/l, with a 500-fold pre-concentration.

On-line microporous membrane liquid-liquid extraction for sample pretreatment combined with capillary gas chromatography applied to local anaesthetics in blood plasma

A new automated procedure for analyzing complex samples has been developed utilizing microporous membrane liquid-liquid extraction (MMLLE) combined with capillary gas chromatography. Some local anaesthetics were used as model compounds in aqueous solution as well as in blood plasma. The MMLLE procedure was performed in a flow system with the sample fed to the donor side of the hydrophobic microporous membrane and with an organic solvent (hexane) in the pores and as the acceptor solution. The analytes in a small volume of sample (< 1 mL) were extracted into the organic acceptor phase which was transferred into the gas chromatographic system by utilizing a loop-type interface compatible with large-volume (300 microL) injection. High selectivity and low carry-over effects were obtained with the system. The detection limits were 0.5-1 ng/mL using 0.5 mL of human plasma, and the precision was approximately 5%. The effects of pH, flow rates, and adsorption of the analytes were evaluated.