A novel block copolymer containing gadolinium oxide nanoparticles in ultrasound assisted-dispersive solid phase microextraction of total arsenic in human foodstuffs: A multivariate optimization methodology

A new poly(3-hydroxy butyrate)-b-poly(dimethyl amino ethyl methacrylate) amphiphilic block copolymer containing gadolinium oxide nanoparticles (PHB-PDMAEMA-Gd2O3-NPs) were synthesized and used as composite adsorbent for extraction of total arsenic. Characterization of the composite adsorbent material PHB-PDMAEMA-Gd2O3-NP was studied using spectroscopic techniques. Plackett-Burman design and central composite design were employed to screening and optimization of the experimental parameters. This composite adsorbent was utilized in ultrasound assisted-dispersive solid phase microextraction (UA-dSP mu E) for the determination of total inorganic arsenic in foodstuffs through hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (HG-AAS). It demonstrates a linear relationship across arsenic concentration range of 0.07-1.12 mu g/L with a correlation coefficient (0.996). It's showed an enrichment factor of 128 and a limit of detection 0.02 mu g/L for total inorganic arsenic determination. Accuracy of the developed method was confirmed through the analysis of certified reference materials with 96.0-98.5% recovery. It proved to be significantly useful UA-dSP mu E method for determining total inorganic arsenic in different foodstuffs.

Automated summary

A new amphiphilic block copolymer composite adsorbent was synthesized and used for the extraction of total arsenic in foodstuffs. The composite adsorbent material was characterized and showed good performance. The developed ultrasound assisted-dispersive solid phase microextraction (UA-dSP μ E) method, combined with hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (HG-AAS), demonstrated high sensitivity and accuracy for the determination of total inorganic arsenic in low concentrations.