Work

Sensitive elemental analysis of edible oil samples using a hydrophilic eutectic mixture as green solvent in electrochemically controlled liquid-liquid microextraction

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background Analyzing toxic metals in edible oils is crucial due to the associated health risks and strict regulatory limits. Traditional extraction methods are often time-consuming and require toxic solvents. Additionally, they are sometimes ineffective in complex oil matrices. Therefore, there is a strong demand for sustainable, efficient methodologies for extracting trace metals from oils. This study presents a green, effective approach to metal extraction from various edible oils using electrochemically enhanced microextraction. Results We present a new, environmentally friendly, electrochemically enhanced liquid-liquid microextraction (EC-LLME) method that uses a choline chloride-based deep eutectic solvent (CC:EG, 1:2) to extract Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni, and Pb from various oil samples. We optimized the extraction parameters using a two-step experimental design. Under the optimal conditions of a 15 g sample, 315 μL of extractant, a 10 min extraction time, and a -0.75 V vs Ag pulse, the method achieved excellent linearity in the range of 5–500 μg kg -1 , high repeatability (CV ≤ 6%), and low detection limits: 0.16 μg·kg -1 (Cd and Fe), 0.09 μg·kg -1 (Cu), 0.4 μg·kg -1 (Ni), and 1.5 μg·kg -1 (Pb). No analyte exceeded legal limits in the three samples studied (i.e., refined rapeseed oil, refined sunflower oil, and virgin olive oil), and recoveries in real and certified samples were nearly 100%, confirming minimal matrix effects. Significance The EC-LLME method is a novel, sustainable alternative for extracting and quantifying trace metals in edible oils. Its superb analytical capabilities and eco-friendly safety, achieved by steering clear of noxious solvents, make it a suitable option for the identification of trace metals in edible vegetable oil samples.

Source: Analytica Chimica Acta

DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2025.344785

Authors: Andrea Marco, Borja Pertusa, Miguel Ángel Aguirre, César Quijada, Montserrat Hidalgo

Institutions: University of Alicante, Universitat Politècnica de València

Language: English

Topic: Analytical chemistry methods development

Subfield: Analytical Chemistry

Field: Chemistry

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,270