Sensitive determination of polychlorinated biphenyls from beverages based on switchable solvent microextraction: A...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are hazardous persistent organic contaminants found globally.
• Despite bans, PCBs remain in food and water, necessitating reliable detection methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, efficient method for extracting and detecting trace PCBs in beverage samples.
• To establish a reliable analytical technique for environmental monitoring and health risk assessment.

Main Methods:

• Developed a switchable solvent micro-extraction technique using heptanoic acid as an extractant.
• Employed gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) for sensitive PCB detection.
• Optimized key parameters influencing PCB enrichment and extraction efficiency.

Main Results:

• Achieved good linearity (0.01-20 μg L⁻¹) with high correlation coefficients (0.9978-0.9994).
• Obtained low limits of detection (2-5 ng L⁻¹) and high enrichment factors (16.2-17.9).
• Demonstrated excellent intra-day/inter-day precision (1.9-4.2% RSD) and recovery rates (93.2-114.3%).

Conclusions:

• The developed method is reliable for monitoring trace PCBs in beverages.
• This technique supports future assessments of human and animal health impacts from PCB exposure.