Spectrophotometric determination of benzoic acid in spiked greenhouse vegetables using green supramolecular solvent...

In this study, an analytical procedure based on UV-Vis spectrophotometry combined with an ultrasound-assisted supramolecular solvent (SUPRAS)-based microextraction approach was developed for the determination of benzoic acid (BA) in fortified (spiked) vegetable samples grown under greenhouse condition so enhance the extraction efficiency and analytical signal obtained via UV-Vis, BA was indirectly determined by targeting the formation of a complex with Fe(III) ions. A statistical and mathematical optimization approach was applied to optimize the experimental parameters. This optimization strategy reduces the number of required experiments, thereby minimizing the cost, energy consumption, and toxic exposure. Thus, the green profile provided by SUPRAS-based microextraction was further enhanced by the optimization strategy. Accuracy, sensitivity, selectivity, and reproducibility studies were conducted to evaluate the analytical parameters demonstrating the quality of the method. Based on the data obtained from the experimental studies, the linear working range, limit of detection, limit of quantification, enrichment factor, preconcentration factor, recovery percentage, and relative standard deviation were calculated as 30-1500 µg L^- 1, 9 µg L^- 1, 30 µg L^- 1, 107, 125, 97.5%, and 2.8%, respectively. The green profile and applicability of the method were assessed using the Analytical Greenness Metric (AGREE) and Blue Applicability Grade Index (BAGI) software respectively. Consequently, the developed method proved to be green, applicable, accurate, sensitive, and reproducible approach.