Eucalyptol-based dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction in conjunction with GC-MS for phthalate esters...

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Environmental Science
• Green Chemistry

Background:

• Endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) pose significant health risks.
• Accurate monitoring of EDCs in consumer products is crucial for public safety.
• Traditional analytical methods often use hazardous organic solvents, prompting a need for greener alternatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate an eco-friendly analytical procedure for determining phthalate esters (PAEs) in bottled water.
• To replace toxic organic solvents with a sustainable alternative in sample preparation.
• To ensure the safety of drinking water, especially for vulnerable populations like children.

Main Methods:

• A novel dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) technique utilizing eucalyptol as the extraction solvent.
• Coupling DLLME with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for sensitive and selective analysis.
• Optimization and validation of the analytical method to assess its performance.

Main Results:

• The developed method successfully determined selected phthalate esters (PAEs) in bottled water samples.
• Achieved low limits of detection (0.090-0.24 μg mL⁻¹) and quantification (0.27-0.72 μg mL⁻¹).
• Extraction efficiencies ranged from 76% to 131% with good precision (RSD < 6% for most compounds).

Conclusions:

• Introduced a novel, environmentally friendly extraction procedure using eucalyptol, eliminating organic solvents.
• The method addresses public health risks associated with EDCs and aligns with Green Analytical Chemistry principles.
• This advancement offers a sustainable approach for monitoring harmful chemicals in consumer products.