Determination of organophosphorus pesticides using dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction combined with reversed electrode polarity stacking mode-micellar electrokinetic chromatography

A critical review of pesticides in aquatic environment: Current trends, environmental impacts, and advances in analytical extraction techniques

Pesticides are applied in agricultural fields to manage pests and diseases that threaten crop health and productivity. However, their presence in natural water systems is a significant concern due to their persistent composition and complex molecular structures. Additionally, their toxic and recalcitrant nature poses potential risks, leading to chronic health effects in humans. Typically detected in trace concentrations, pesticides present analytical challenges owing to their intricate chemical structures and diverse physical properties. Recent research highlights notable advancements in conventional pesticide extraction methods, aiming to develop eco-friendly and cost-effective techniques with high enrichment and recovery rates. This review begins by exploring the latest trends and ongoing research related to the occurrence and extraction of pesticides from various aquatic environments. The study then discusses the innovative extraction techniques currently employed for pesticide removal. Among liquid-phase microextraction (LPME) techniques, methods such as ionic liquid-based extraction (IL-LPME), deep eutectic solvent-based extraction (DES-LPME), air-assisted extraction, solidification of a floating organic drop (SFO), and ultrasound-assisted LPME are gaining attention due to their ease of handling, operational simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and environmental sustainability. In the, solid-phase extraction (SPE) field, researchers have increasingly utilized approaches like magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE), green sorbents, metal-organic framework (MOF) based extraction, cartridge-based SPE, and carbon nanotube-based SPE as the most widely adopted methods. These methods are preferred for their benefits, including efficient separation, rapid analysis, and environmentally sustainable practices. The latter sections of this review present a detailed comparative analysis of these extraction methods, evaluating critical parameters such as operational time, cost, chemical and energy consumption, and analytical accuracy.

Fe3O4@nitrogen-doped carbon@Pd core-double shell nanotubes as a novel nanosorbent for ultrasonic assisted dispersive magnetic solid phase extraction of organophosphorus pesticides

In this study, an ultrasonic assisted dispersive magnetic solid phase extraction leveraging Fe3O4@nitrogen-doped carbon@Pd core-double shell nanotubes was developed for the extraction of organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) in trace levels from real samples. Incorporation of Pd species into the structure of the nanosorbent could enhance its interactions with sulfur groups in the structure of OPPs. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction, brunauer-emmett-teller, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize the nanosorbent after its synthesis. Then, effective variables on the extraction efficiency of OPPs using the nanosorbent were optimized. These parameters included 2-propanol as the adsorption solvent; the sample pH of 7.0; the sorbent quantity of 10 mg; and the extraction and desorption times of 3 min. Under optimized conditions, linear ranges with determination coefficients (R2) higher than 0.99, low detection limits of 0.30 ng mL-1, high preconcentration factors (423-470) and relatively high extraction recoveries (84-94 %) were obtained. The proposed extraction system was then successfully applied to the analysis of OPPs in fruits, vegetables, water, and agricultural soil samples, yielding relative recoveries from 90.4 to 107 %.

Ultrasensitive enantiomeric barbiturate analysis in body fluids through capillary electrophoresis with large volume sample stacking and ultrasound assisted dispersive liquid liquid microextraction

A rapid, straightforward, and sensitive approach to quantifying enantiomeric barbiturates in serum was developed by integrating ultrasound-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (UA-DLLME) with large-volume sample stacking (LVSS) in capillary electrophoresis (CE). UA-DLLME was employed for sample preparation, and on-column preconcentration by using LVSS with polarity switching was implemented to enhance sensitivity. We thoroughly investigated and optimized various parameters influencing extraction and stacking to achieve optimal detection performance with the highest enrichment efficiencies. Under optimal extraction conditions (injection of a mixed solution containing 40 μL of CHCl3 and 200 μL of tetrahydrofuran into 1 mL of a sample solution at pH 10.0), LVSS was performed using 600 mM Tris-boric acid (pH 9.5) containing 35 mM hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin and sodium taurodeoxycholate hydrate. A voltage of 20 kV was applied and a preinjection water plug was loaded at a height of 25 cm for 10 s. Subsequently, the sample solution was injected at a height of 25 cm for 480 s, after which a voltage of -20 kV was applied and the sample stacking was initiated. The stacking process was completed when 95 % of the separation current was attained. Under optimized conditions, the contraction folds of the four barbiturate analytes (R, S-Secobarbital, R, S-pentobarbital) were improved by approximately 6400-fold, achieving detection limits of 0.1 ng/mL. The limits of quantification for all analyte enantiomers were 0.5-50 ng/mL, demonstrating good linearity (r > 0.997). Migration times exhibited a relative standard deviation of less than 1.7 %, whereas peak areas for the four analytes exhibited a deviation of 8.7 %. Finally, the established method was effectively applied to the analysis of human serum samples.

Eco-friendly thermosensitive magnetic-molecularly-imprinted polymer adsorbent in dispersive solid-phase microextraction for gas chromatographic determination of organophosphorus pesticides in fruit samples

A thermosensitive magnetic-molecularly-imprinted polymer (TMMIP) was successfully prepared in an aqueous medium. The TMMIP was applied as an effective adsorbent in dispersive solid-phase microextraction for the selective enrichment of five organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs; diazinon, fenitrothion, fenthion, parathion-ethyl, and ethion) before analysis by gas chromatography. The polymerization was performed using mixed-valence iron hydroxide nanoparticles as the magnetic support, N-isopropyl acrylamide as the thermosensitive monomer, ethion as the template, and methacrylic acid as the functional monomer. The adsorption and desorption mechanisms of OPPs depend on their interactions with the adsorbents and solution temperature. Our methodology provides good linearity (0.50-2000 µgL-1), with a correlation determination of R2 > 0.9980, low limit of detection (0.25-0.50 µgL-1), low limit of quantitation (0.50-1.50 μg L-1), and high precision (%RSD < 7%). The developed method demonstrates excellent applicability for accurately and efficiently determining OPP residuals in fruit and vegetable samples with good recoveries (93-117%).

Development of a new and facile method for determination of chlorpyrifos residues in green tea by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction

In this work a simple, rapid, and environmentally friendly method has been established for the determination of chlorpyrifos residue in green tea by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction and gas chromatography-flame photometric detection. Some experimental parameters that influence extraction efficiency, such as the kind and volume of disperser solvents and extraction solvents, extraction time, addition of salt and pH, were investigated. And the optimal experimental conditions were obtained, quantitative analysis was carried out using external standard method. The correlation coefficient of the calibration curves was 0.999 with in 0.05 mg/kg to 5 mg/kg. The results showed that under the optimum conditions, the enrichment factors of the chlorpyrifos was about 554.51, the recoveries for standard addition fell in the range from 91.94 to 104.70% and the relative standard deviations was 4.61%. The limit of quantification of chlorpyrifos in green tea was 0.02 μg/mL at the signal/noise ratio of 3.

Recent Application of Deep Eutectic Solvents as Green Solvent in Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction of Trace Level Chemical Contaminants in Food and Water

As growing concerns on green, cost-effective, and time-saving chemistry analysis methods, deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are considered to be promising green alternatives to conventional solvents in dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) of trace level chemical contaminants in food and water, due to their biodegradability, low cost, and simple preparation. In the past few years, numerous innovative researches have focused on preconcentration of trace level chemical contaminants using DESs as extractant. In this context, this review aims to summarize the updated state-of-the-art effort dedicated to preconcentration of trace level chemical contaminants in food and water sample using DESs as extractants in DLLME. Furthermore, the major impact factors affecting the preconcentration efficiency and process mechanisms are thoroughly analyzed and discussed. Finally, prospects and challenges in application of DESs as solvents in DLLME to enrich trace level chemical contaminants are extensively elucidated and critically reviewed.

Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction Based Preconcentration of Selected Pesticides and Escitalopram Oxalate, Haloperidol, and Olanzapine from Wastewater Samples Prior to Determination by GC-MS

Background

Determination of emerging pollutants including pharmaceuticals, pesticides, industrial chemicals and hormones in different environmental samples is very important for human health.

Objective

Experimental design enabled parameters to be evaluated for their effects onextraction output as well as their interactive effects.

Method

A multivariate experimental design was used to attain optimum conditions of a dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction method for preconcentration of pesticides and pharmaceuticals for determination by GC-MS.

Results

The optimum parameters suggested by the design model were 200 µL of chloroform, 1.96 mL of ethanol, and 40 s vortexing period. LOD and LOQ were calculated using linear calibration plots of the analytes developed in the standard concentration range of 2.0 μg/L–2.0 mg/L.

Conclusions

Enhancement in detection power of the analytes recorded by the optimized method with respect to direct GC-MS determination (based on LOD values) was in the range of 3.6 and 539 folds. Spiked recovery experiments for municipal, medical, and synthetic wastewater samples yielded low recovery results when calculated against aqueous standard solutions. Matrix matched calibration standards were used to mitigate interferences from the waste samples and the percent recoveries obtained were close to 100%. This established accuracy and applicability of the developed method.

Highlights

The detection limits were found between 0.50 ng/mL and 37 ng/mL. An accurate, simple and sensitive analytical method was developed for the analytes.

Supramolecular Solvent-Based Liquid Phase Microextraction Combined with Ion-Pairing Reversed-Phase HPLC for the Determination of Quats in Vegetable Samples

In this study, we used anion supramolecular solvent (SUPRAS) prepared from a mixture of an anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and a cationic surfactant, tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBABr), as the extraction solvent in liquid phase microextraction (LPME) of paraquat (PQ) and diquat (DQ). The enriched PQ and DQ in the SUPRAS phase were simultaneously analyzed by ion-pairing reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography. PQ and DQ were successfully extracted by LPME via electrostatic interaction between the positive charge of the quats and the negative charge of SUPRAS. PQ, DQ, and ethyl viologen (the internal standard) were separated within 15 min on a C18 column, with the mobile phase containing 1-dodecanesulfonic acid and triethylamine, via UV detection. The optimized conditions for the extraction of 10 mL aqueous solution are 50 μL of SUPRAS prepared from a mixture of SDS and TBABr at a mole ratio of 1:0.5, vortexed for 10 s at 1800 rpm, and centrifugation for 1 min at 3500 rpm. The obtained enrichment factors were 22 and 26 with limits of detection of 1.5 and 2.8 µg L^-1 for DQ and PQ, respectively. The precision was good with relative standard deviations less than 3.86%. The proposed method was successfully applied for the determination of PQ and DQ in vegetable samples and recoveries were found in the range of 75.0% to 106.7%.

Rational design of an ionic liquid dispersive liquid–liquid micro-extraction method for the detection of organophosphorus pesticides

In this study, a functionalized ionic liquid (IL), [MimCH₂COOCH₃][NTf₂] was rationally designed and explored as an extraction solvent in dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) combined with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) for the sensitive determination of organophosphorus pesticides (OPs).

Simultaneous Analysis of 20 Mycotoxins in Grapes and Wines from Hexi Corridor Region (China): Based on a QuEChERS⁻UHPLC⁻MS/MS Method

The aim of this study is to develop and validate an improved analytical method for the simultaneous quantification of 20 types of mycotoxins in grapes and wines. In this research, the optimization of tandem mass spectrometer (MS/MS) parameter, ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC) separation, and QuEChERS procedure, which includes wine/water ratio, the amount and type of salt, clean-up sorbent, were performed, and the whole separation of mycotoxins was accomplished within 7 min analyzing time. Under optimum conditions, recoveries ranged from 85.6% to 117.8%, while relative standard deviation (RSD) remained between 6.0% and 17.5%. The limit of detection (LOD, 0.06–10 μg/L) and the limit of quantification (LOQ, 0.18–30 μg/L) were lower than those permitted by legislation in food matrices, which demonstrated the high sensitivity and applicability of this efficient method. Finally, 36 grapes and 42 wine samples from the Hexi Corridor region were analyzed. Penicillic acid (PCA), mycophenolic acid (MPA), cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), fumonisin B1 (FB1) and zearalenone (ZEN) were detected in a small number of grape samples with lower concentrations between 0.10 μg/L and 81.26 μg/L. Meanwhile, ochratoxin A (OTA), aflatoxin B2 (AFB2), MPA, CPA, and ZEN were detected in some wine counterparts with concentrations ranged from 0.10 μg/L to 4.62 μg/L. However, the concentrations of the detected mycotoxins were much lower than the maximum legal limits set of other products.

Vortex-assisted low density solvent and surfactant based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for sensitive spectrophotometric determination of cobalt

This study describes the development of vortex-assisted low density solvent and surfactant based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (VALS-DLLME) for Co(ii) prior to its spectrophotometric detection. The method consisted of the complexation of Co(ii) with pyrocatechol violet (PV) followed by the preconcentration of the Co(II)–PV complex using VALS-DLLME and then an absorption measurement at 600 nm. The optimum conditions for complex formation were a 1 : 3 mole ratio of Co(ii) and PV at pH 7.5, while the conditions for VALS-DLLME were 300 μL 1-dodecanol as extraction solvent, and 300 μL acetonitrile as dispersive solvent under a vortex for 20 s with the addition of cationic surfactant (0.02 mmol L⁻¹ CTAB). Under the optimum conditions, good linearity was in the range of 0.1–10 mg L⁻¹, the enrichment factor (EF) was 13.5 and the low limit of detection (LOD) was 0.04 mg L⁻¹. The method was applied to the analysis of Co(ii) in water, green leaf vegetable and vitamin B₁₂ samples. The proposed method provided good recoveries in the range of 86–104%, which were comparable to those obtained from flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry.

The formation of a Co(II)–PV complex and the VALS-DLLME procedure.

Development of supramolecular solvent based microextraction prior to high performance liquid chromatography for simultaneous determination of phenols in environmental water

SUPRAS based microextraction for phenols.

Recent Advances in the Determination of Pesticides in Environmental Samples by Capillary Electrophoresis

Nowadays, owing to the increasing population and the attempts to satisfy its needs, pesticides are widely applied to control the quantity and quality of agricultural products. However, the presence of pesticide residues and their metabolites in environmental samples is hazardous to the health of humans and all other living organisms. Thus, monitoring these compounds is extremely important to ensure that only permitted levels of pesticide are consumed. To this end, fast, reliable, and environmentally friendly methods that can accurately analyze dilute, complex samples containing both parent substances and their metabolites are required. Focusing primarily on research published since 2010, this review summarizes the use of various sample pretreatment techniques to extract pesticides from various matrices, combined with on-line preconcentration strategies for sensitivity improvement, and subsequent capillary electrophoresis analysis.

Sensitive Detection of Organophosphorus Pesticides in Medicinal Plants Using Ultrasound-Assisted Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction Combined with Sweeping Micellar Electrokinetic Chromatography

A simple, rapid, and sensitive method using ultrasound-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (UA-DLLME) combined with sweeping micellar electrokinetic chromatography (sweeping-MEKC) has been developed for the determination of nine organophosphorus pesticides (chlorfenvinphos, parathion, quinalphos, fenitrothion, azinphos-ethyl, parathion-methyl, fensulfothion, methidathion, and paraoxon). The important parameters that affect the UA-DLLME and sweeping efficiency were investigated. Under the optimized conditions, the proposed method provided 779.0-6203.5-fold enrichment of the nine pesticides compared to the normal MEKC method. The limits of detection ranged from 0.002 to 0.008 mg kg(-1). The relative standard deviations of the peak area ranged from 1.2 to 6.5%, indicating the good repeatability of the method. Finally, the developed UA-DLLME-sweeping-MEKC method has been successfully applied to the analysis of the investigated pesticides in several medicinal plants, including Lycium chinense, Dioscorea opposite, Codonopsis pilosula, and Panax ginseng, indicating that this method is suitable for the determination of trace pesticide residues in real samples with complex matrices.

A Simple and Quick Method for the Determination of Pesticides in Environmental Water by HF-LPME-GC/MS

This paper describes a simple and quick method for sampling and also for carrying out the preconcentration of pesticides in environmental water matrices using two-phased hollow fiber liquid phase microextraction (HF-LPME). Factors such as extraction mode, time, solvents, agitation, and salt addition were investigated in order to validate the LPME method. The following conditions were selected: 6 cm of polypropylene hollow fiber, ethyl octanoate as an acceptor phase, and extraction during 30 min under stirring at 200 rpm. The optimized method showed good linearity in the range of 0.14 to 200.00 μg L^-1; the determination coefficient (R²) was in the range of 0.9807-0.9990. The LOD ranged from 0.04 μg L^-1 to 0.44 μg L^-1, and LOQ ranged from 0.14 μg L^-1 to 1.69 μg L^-1. The recovery ranged from 85.17% to 114.73%. The method was applied to the analyses of pesticides in three environmental water samples (a spring and few streams) collected in a rural area from the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Vortex-assisted low density solvent based demulsified dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction and high-performance liquid chromatography for the determination of organophosphorus pesticides in water samples

A simple, rapid, effective and eco-friendly preconcentration method, vortex-assisted low density solvent based solvent demulsified dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (VLDS-SD-DLLME), followed by high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) analysis, has been developed for the first time for the determination of four organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) (e.g., azinphos-methyl, parathion-methyl, fenitrothion and diazinon) in environmental water samples. In this preconcentration procedure, an emulsion was obtained after the mixture of extraction solvent (1-dodecanol) and dispersive solvent (acetonitrile, ACN) was injected rapidly into 10 mL of the sample solution. The vortex agitator aided the dispersion of the extraction solvent into the sample solution. After the formation of an emulsion, the demulsifier (ACN) was added, resulting in the rapid separation of the mixture into two phases without centrifugation. Under optimal conditions, the proposed method provided high extraction efficiency (90-99%), good linearity range (0.5-500 ng mL(-1)), low limits of detection (0.25-1 ng mL(-1)) and good repeatability and recoveries were obtained.

Recent methodological and instrumental development in MEKC

The review gives an update about the methodological and instrumental developments in micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography as a type of CE analytical technique. Here, the last two years development of the technique are particularly presented. Recent approaches to improve sensitivity are discussed. Newly introduced concentration techniques and experimental methods for verification of the different mechanisms and processes of micellar electrokinetic chromatography analysis are highlighted. A theoretical model to explain changes in separation and electrophoretic mobility order of fully charged analytes are demonstrated. Modern approaches for improving compatibility of micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography to mass spectrometry are also reported.