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 27

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

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

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

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Published Papers

This special issue is now open for submission.
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