Advancements in Microextraction Techniques for Environmental and Food Sample Analysis

A special issue of Separations (ISSN 2297-8739). This special issue belongs to the section "Chromatographic Separations".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 October 2026 | Viewed by 793

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa
Interests: trace analysis; emerging organic pollutants; chromatographic analysis; pre-concentration; modern extraction techniques

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Food and environmental samples are characteristic examples of highly complex matrices. For cases such as these, extraction techniques and cleanup strategies are of paramount importance in order to develop accurate and analytical methods with reduced matrix effects. Sometimes the concentration of analytes/pollutants in food and environmental products is lower than the limits of detection and quantification of some analytical instruments. Consequently, there is a need for pre-concentration prior to instrumental analysis. Sample preparation, with the main objective of removal of matrix interferences and preconcentration of the analytes, is considered a bottleneck of analytical processes. Various sample preparation strategies, as applied to food and environmental samples, have been developed based on exhaustive or non-exhaustive extraction of analytes from matrices. Increased interest in sample preparation research has been generated by the introduction of non-traditional extraction technologies. These modern technologies address the need for automation and miniaturization. Current research continues to refine and expand modern extraction methods, integrating novel sorbents, improved cleanup strategies, and innovative solvent systems to enhance sensitivity, selectivity, and matrix compatibility. Examples of the modern extraction techniques used to pre-concentrate analytes/pollutants in food and environmental samples include dispersive solid-phase extraction (DSPE), QuEChERS, dispersive liquid–liquid micro-extraction (DLLME), solid-phase micro-extraction (SPME), thin film micro-extraction (TFME), and solvent bar micro-extraction (SBME). This Special Issue welcomes contributions (high-quality original and critical review papers) focused on experimental studies and theoretical analyses of phenomena associated with and arising from the extraction and removal of analytes/pollutants from both food and environmental samples.

Dr. Nikita Tawanda Tavengwa
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • trace analysis
  • emerging organic pollutants
  • sample preparation
  • pre-concentration
  • modern extraction techniques

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

15 pages, 686 KB  
Article
An Efficient and Greener Alternative for the Extraction of Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds from Sediments
by Zhe Xia, Xinyu Gao, Thor Halldorson, Nipuni Vitharana, Chris Marvin, Philippe J. Thomas and Gregg T. Tomy
Separations 2026, 13(2), 68; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations13020068 - 15 Feb 2026
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Abstract
This study details the validation of a novel microbead beating extraction (MBE) technique for the analysis of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) in sediments. The method’s performance was evaluated against international analytical validation criteria, including trueness, precision, measurement uncertainty and robustness. Limits of detection [...] Read more.
This study details the validation of a novel microbead beating extraction (MBE) technique for the analysis of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) in sediments. The method’s performance was evaluated against international analytical validation criteria, including trueness, precision, measurement uncertainty and robustness. Limits of detection and quantitation were consistently low (≤6.5 and 21 ng g−1, respectively), trueness for the majority of analytes fell within accepted performance criteria, and repeatability values for most analytes were generally <10%. Analytical data confirm the method’s reliability, with more than 80% of certified analytes in two certified reference materials (CRMs) meeting the satisfactory z-score (∣z∣ ≤ 2.0). Furthermore, the method’s inter-laboratory repeatability, as measured by HorRat values, fell within the range recommended by the Association for Official Analytical Chemist for most analytes, and combined measurement uncertainties showed no statistical difference from the certified uncertainties of the CRMs. Incorporating an in situ cleanup step enabled the MBE method to substantially reduce extraction times (<15 min) and reduces solvent consumption by ~60% compared with conventional pressurize fluid extraction while maintaining good quality data objectives. By meeting or exceeding well-established metrics for good laboratory performance, the MBE method demonstrates reliability, efficiency, and a greener approach for the routine analysis of PACs in sediments. Full article
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