Environmentally friendly vortex-assisted liquid-phase microextraction using a deep eutectic solvent for lead...

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Environmental Science
• Food Safety

Background:

• Lead (Pb) contamination in seafood poses significant health risks.
• Accurate and sensitive determination of Pb in complex matrices like seafood is crucial for regulatory compliance and consumer protection.
• Existing methods for Pb analysis may involve complex procedures or hazardous chemicals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a simple, environmentally friendly, and efficient method for preconcentrating and determining lead (Pb) in seafood samples.
• To utilize vortex-assisted liquid-phase microextraction (VA-LPME) with a novel deep eutectic solvent (DES) for Pb analysis.
• To validate the method's performance and applicability to real-world seafood samples.

Main Methods:

• Vortex-assisted liquid-phase microextraction (VA-LPME) using a hydrophobic DES (caprylic acid: menthol, 1:0.1 molar ratio).
• Optimization of key parameters: DES type and volume, solution pH, diluent composition, and extraction time.
• Determination of preconcentrated Pb using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS).

Main Results:

• The optimized VA-LPME method achieved an enrichment factor of 53.
• Low detection and quantification limits were obtained (0.9 µg L⁻¹ and 2.7 µg L⁻¹, respectively).
• The method was successfully applied to various seafood types, with accurate Pb quantification.

Conclusions:

• The proposed VA-LPME method is a simple, rapid, and green approach for Pb determination in seafood.
• The use of a DES-based solvent offers an effective alternative to traditional extraction techniques.
• This method supports reliable environmental and food safety monitoring of lead levels in seafood products.