Rapid separation and determination of six anthocyanins in food and beverage using surface-active ionic liquid-based supramolecular solvent dispersion liquid-liquid microextraction

A simple and efficient method of surface-active ionic liquid-based supramolecular solvent dispersion liquid-liquid microextraction (SAIL-SUPRAS-DLLME) has been developed for the separation and determination of six anthocyanins in food and beverages. The analysis was completed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC). In this work, a supramolecular solvent formed by the self-assembly of surface-active ionic liquid [EMim][NTF2] and the Tergitol TMN-6 solution were used as the extraction phase in DLPME. Some parameters, including the type and volume of extraction solvent used in SAIL-SUPRAS, pH of the sample phase, concentration of salt, shaking time, centrifugation speed and time were investigated and optimized. The calibration curves for six anthocyanins were all linear with correlation coefficients greater than 0.9994. The intra-day and inter-day precision (RSD) measurements were below 8.1%, while the limits of detection (LOD) for six anthocyanins ranged from 2.11 to 3.27 pg mL(-1) (S/N = 3). The proposed method had series of advantages, such as simple, rapid, environmentally friendly preparation of the supramolecular solvent, higher enrichment, excellent sensitivity and selectivity for six anthocyanins. It can be used for the quick analysis and detection of anthocyanins in food analysis.

Automated summary

A simple and efficient method utilizing surface-active ionic liquid-based supramolecular solvent dispersion liquid-liquid microextraction (SAIL-SUPRAS-DLLME) has been developed for the separation and determination of six anthocyanins in food and beverages. The method exhibited excellent sensitivity and selectivity, and can be used for quick analysis and detection of anthocyanins in food.