QuEChERS: A new sample preparation approach for the determination of ibuprofen and its metabolites in soils

• Published in: The Science of the total environment 2012-09, Vol.433, p.281-289
• Main Authors: Bragança, Idalina, Plácido, Alexandra, Paíga, Paula, Domingues, Valentina F., Delerue-Matos, Cristina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis methods; Analytical chemistry; Applied sciences; Chemistry; Chromatographic methods and physical methods associated with chromatography; Chromatography, Liquid; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Exact sciences and technology; Extraction; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Ibuprofen; Ibuprofen - analysis; Ibuprofen - metabolism; Metabolites; Other chromatographic methods; Pollution; Pollution, environment geology; QuEChERS; Reproducibility of Results; Soil; Soil and sediments pollution; Soil Pollutants - analysis; Soil Pollutants - metabolism; Spectrometry, Fluorescence
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.06.035

Ibuprofen is one of the most used active pharmaceutical ingredients worldwide. A new method for the analysis of ibuprofen and its metabolites, hydroxyibuprofen and carboxyibuprofen, in soils is presented. The extraction of these compounds from the soil matrices was performed by using a modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) method. The method involves a single extraction of the investigated compounds with purified water (acidified at pH 2.5 with hydrochloric acid), and a slow and continuous addition of the QuEChERS content, followed by the addition of acidified acetonitrile (1% acetic acid), prior to the determination by liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescence detection (LC–FLD). Validation studies were carried out using soil samples with a range of organic carbon contents. Recoveries of the fortified samples ranged from 79.5% to 101%. Relative standard deviations for all matrix–compound combinations did not exceed 3%. The method quantification limits were ≤22.4μgkg−1 in all cases. The developed method was applied to the analysis of sixteen real samples. ► We optimized a QuEChERS extraction procedure for ibuprofen and it major metabolites using LC–FLD. ► We apply the methodology to soil and sediment samples. ► The method is rapid and reduces the use of organic solvent contributing for a more green chemistry. ► The proposed analytical method can be used for monitoring contaminated soils and sediments.