Improving sample preparation by biochar-coated sampling tubes: proof-of-concept extraction of sex hormones from real waters

This work showcases a novel application of biochar for analytical sample treatment. The carbonaceous material, obtained by pyrolysis of orange peel waste (550°C) without any post-synthesis treatment or functionalization, was thoroughly characterized and easily immobilized on the inner wall of sampli...

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Main Authors: Petra Bianchini, Francesca Merlo, Valentina Quarta, Luca Ferrari, Chiara Milanese, Antonella Profumo, Andrea Speltini
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-10-01
Series:Advances in Sample Preparation
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772582024000287
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author Petra Bianchini
Francesca Merlo
Valentina Quarta
Luca Ferrari
Chiara Milanese
Antonella Profumo
Andrea Speltini
author_facet Petra Bianchini
Francesca Merlo
Valentina Quarta
Luca Ferrari
Chiara Milanese
Antonella Profumo
Andrea Speltini
author_sort Petra Bianchini
collection DOAJ
description This work showcases a novel application of biochar for analytical sample treatment. The carbonaceous material, obtained by pyrolysis of orange peel waste (550°C) without any post-synthesis treatment or functionalization, was thoroughly characterized and easily immobilized on the inner wall of sampling tubes in order to perform a sort of “in-vial” solid-phase extraction (SPE). The as-obtained device was tested for the extraction of seven sexual steroids, as probe water pollutants, from tap, lake, river water and wastewater treatment plant effluent samples spiked with 0.2-5 µg L−1 of each compound. The sorption kinetics profiles showed quantitative uptake from the sample (25 mL) in 20 min contact time, followed by complete elution in pure ethanol (2 mL, 15 min), thanks to the proper balance between sorption affinity and ease of elution. Under the selected conditions, recovery was in the range 60-123 %, with good inter-day precision (RSD 10-18 %, n=3). As evidence of the excellent reproducibility, an overall RSD below 15 % was observed from inter-day inter-batch recovery tests on three individually prepared sampling tubes. The procedure, carried out on a roller mixer, allows 10 samples to be extracted simultaneously, improving the sample throughput. Moreover, reusability tests showed that the same device maintains its efficiency for 10 consecutive sorption/desorption cycles. The greenness assessment, carried out by two dedicated software, further supported the sustainability of this biochar-based sample preparation as an alternative SPE.
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spelling doaj-art-d52d29f63ddf48c0a9a43dbac81667932024-12-08T06:13:28ZengElsevierAdvances in Sample Preparation2772-58202024-10-0112100129Improving sample preparation by biochar-coated sampling tubes: proof-of-concept extraction of sex hormones from real watersPetra Bianchini0Francesca Merlo1Valentina Quarta2Luca Ferrari3Chiara Milanese4Antonella Profumo5Andrea Speltini6Department of Chemistry, University of Pavia, via Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, ItalyDepartment of Chemistry, University of Pavia, via Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, ItalyDepartment of Chemistry, University of Pavia, via Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, ItalyDepartment of Chemistry, University of Pavia, via Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, ItalyDepartment of Chemistry, University of Pavia, via Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, ItalyDepartment of Chemistry, University of Pavia, via Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, ItalyCorresponding author.; Department of Chemistry, University of Pavia, via Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, ItalyThis work showcases a novel application of biochar for analytical sample treatment. The carbonaceous material, obtained by pyrolysis of orange peel waste (550°C) without any post-synthesis treatment or functionalization, was thoroughly characterized and easily immobilized on the inner wall of sampling tubes in order to perform a sort of “in-vial” solid-phase extraction (SPE). The as-obtained device was tested for the extraction of seven sexual steroids, as probe water pollutants, from tap, lake, river water and wastewater treatment plant effluent samples spiked with 0.2-5 µg L−1 of each compound. The sorption kinetics profiles showed quantitative uptake from the sample (25 mL) in 20 min contact time, followed by complete elution in pure ethanol (2 mL, 15 min), thanks to the proper balance between sorption affinity and ease of elution. Under the selected conditions, recovery was in the range 60-123 %, with good inter-day precision (RSD 10-18 %, n=3). As evidence of the excellent reproducibility, an overall RSD below 15 % was observed from inter-day inter-batch recovery tests on three individually prepared sampling tubes. The procedure, carried out on a roller mixer, allows 10 samples to be extracted simultaneously, improving the sample throughput. Moreover, reusability tests showed that the same device maintains its efficiency for 10 consecutive sorption/desorption cycles. The greenness assessment, carried out by two dedicated software, further supported the sustainability of this biochar-based sample preparation as an alternative SPE.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772582024000287BiocharEmerging contaminantsEnvironmental analysisGreen sample preparationSolid-phase extraction
spellingShingle Petra Bianchini
Francesca Merlo
Valentina Quarta
Luca Ferrari
Chiara Milanese
Antonella Profumo
Andrea Speltini
Improving sample preparation by biochar-coated sampling tubes: proof-of-concept extraction of sex hormones from real waters
Advances in Sample Preparation
Biochar
Emerging contaminants
Environmental analysis
Green sample preparation
Solid-phase extraction
title Improving sample preparation by biochar-coated sampling tubes: proof-of-concept extraction of sex hormones from real waters
title_full Improving sample preparation by biochar-coated sampling tubes: proof-of-concept extraction of sex hormones from real waters
title_fullStr Improving sample preparation by biochar-coated sampling tubes: proof-of-concept extraction of sex hormones from real waters
title_full_unstemmed Improving sample preparation by biochar-coated sampling tubes: proof-of-concept extraction of sex hormones from real waters
title_short Improving sample preparation by biochar-coated sampling tubes: proof-of-concept extraction of sex hormones from real waters
title_sort improving sample preparation by biochar coated sampling tubes proof of concept extraction of sex hormones from real waters
topic Biochar
Emerging contaminants
Environmental analysis
Green sample preparation
Solid-phase extraction
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772582024000287
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