Optimization of solid-phase microextraction using Taguchi design to quantify trace level polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water

Abstract

This article introduces a simple, rapid, and reliable solid-phase microextraction (SPME) method coupled with GC-MS for the quantitative determination of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water. In this study, the Taguchi experimental design was used to optimize extraction conditions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons using SPME method to obtain highly enriched analytes. Consequently, quantitative determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water was achieved by GC-MS technique. The selected parameters affecting enrichment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were sample extraction time, stirring speed, temperature, ionic strength, and pH. The study revealed that optimal operating conditions were found to be 90-min extraction time, 1400 rpm stirring speed, and 60°C sample temperature. The effect of ionic strength and pH were shown to be insignificant. Optimized conditions were also reevaluated by placing the 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons into several subgroups based on their molecular weight. The extraction efficiency of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with low molecular weight was shown to be a function of only the extracting temperature. Satisfactory results were obtained for linearity (0.983-0.999), detection limits (2.67-18.02 ng/L), accuracy (71.2-99.3%), and precision (4.3-13.5%). The optimum conditions reported by other design approaches were evaluated and generalized optimum conditions were suggested.

Comparison of different extraction methods for the determination of α- and β-thujone in sage (Salvia officinalis L.) herbal tea

“…From a quantitative point of view, HSSE showed a significantly higher ability to extract β‐thujone. Between these two methods, HS‐SPME is the most economical and does not require a thermal desorption unit, as desorption is carried out directly by the GC–MS injector . Furthermore, this method has been successfully applied for multiresidue analysis of pharmaceutical drugs and chemotherapy controls .…”

“…Before use, HS-SPME, Twisters, and Tenax TA R were conditioned at 250ЊC, according to the manufacturer's instructions. Temperature, equilibration time, and extraction time were selected after several experiments combining different temperatures (20,40,60, and 80ЊC), equilibration times (2, 5, 30, 90, 120, and 240 min), and extraction times (2, 5, 10, 20, and 30 min).…”

Simultaneous determination of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in reclaimed water using solid‐phase extraction followed by ultra‐performance convergence chromatography with photodiode array detection

“…Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are widely generated from the incomplete combustion of organic materials or industrial process, have been listed as priority organic pollutants by United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) and the European Union (EU) for their strong toxicity and the non‐degradable character . PAHs have been detected in various matrices, such as in water, soil and aerosol . The spread of PAHs could be partially caused by the reclaimed water from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), which is discharged to the rivers without sufficient removal of the PAHs .…”

Extraction and enrichment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by ordered mesoporous carbon reinforced hollow fiber liquid‐phase microextraction

“…So before an instrumental analysis, a sufficient and effective sample pretreatment method is usually required and is sometimes even a key step in the whole analytical procedure. So far, various sample preconcentration techniques have been developed and subsequently applied for the monitoring of PAHs from different samples, such as LLE , SPE , SPME , ultrasonic extraction PLE , MAE , and LPME based on the solidification of a floating organic microdrop . Among them, LLE, SPME, and SPE have become widely accepted and increasingly used for the preconcentration of PAHs from different samples.…”