Bursting-bubble flow microextraction combined with gas chromatography to analyze organophosphorus pesticides in aqueous samples

Bubble-bursting flow microextraction combined with gas chromatography as a green and sustainable microextraction method is used to determine some organophosphorus pesticide residues in water samples. The extraction process occurs at the surface of liquid-gas contact, where the analytes interact with the gas molecules in the bubble. The analytes are transferred to the surface of the sample solution by moving the gas bubbles upwards. The bursting of gas bubbles causes the analytes to disperse in the headspace. Eventually, they are collected for injection into the chromatography system. A one-factor-at-one-time approach was applied to optimize the independent variables in the proposed method. Validation studies were performed according to reliable guidelines. Under optimal conditions, the method indicated a dynamic linear range from 1.0 to 100.0 mu g/L. The limit of detection and quantification of the method was 0.29-0.38 and 1.21-1.70 mu g/L, respectively. The proposed method was successfully utilized to determine malathion, diazinon, profenofos, and ethion as the target analytes in various water samples with satisfactory relative recoveries ranged from 90.1 to 102.2%.

Automated summary

The bubble-bursting flow microextraction combined with gas chromatography is a green and sustainable method for determining organophosphorus pesticide residues in water samples, with promising application potential.