Green Method for the Selective Electromembrane Extraction of Parabens and Fluoroquinolones in the Presence of NSAIDs by Using Biopolymeric Chitosan Films

Abstract

A chitosan biopolymeric membrane was successfully used as a support in a green electromembrane extraction procedure for the simultaneous and selective extraction of seven parabens and three fluoroquinolones in the presence of three non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The optimal experimental conditions (10 mL donor phase and 50 μL acceptor phase, pH 10 in both phases; 80 V of applied voltage during 15 min of extraction time) were determined, providing high enrichment factors for six of the studied parabens (EF ≥ 90) and the three fluoroquinolones (EF ≥ 50). Wide linear concentration ranges (0.5–500 μg L−1), good linearity (>97%), low limits of detection (0.2–1.1 μg L−1), and good repeatability (relative standard deviation values 4–10%) were achieved. The proposed method was successfully applied for the extraction of the target analytes from different kinds of water samples (river, lake, and swimming pool). The usage of a chitosan membrane in the extraction process presents many advantages, as it is a biodegradable and versatile support, offering a good alternative to commercial plastic materials commonly used in this methodology and these procedures.

Keywords

• parabens
• fluoroquinolones
• NSAIDs
• chitosan
• electromembrane extraction