Mucor pusillus immobilized Amberlite XAD-4 biocomposites for preconcentration of heavy metal ions by solid-phase extraction method

Abstract

BackgroundSolid phase extraction has been an effective tool for the determination of metal ions at trace or sub trace level from environmental aquatic streams. Sensitivity, accuracy, versatility and reusability of adsorbent entitle the solid phase as effective technique for the determination of metal ions.MethodsA solid phase extraction procedure has been described for the determination of Cd, Cu, and Pb by High Resolution–Continuum Source Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry HR-CS FAAS using a mini-column of Mucor pusillus (Lindt., 1886) immobilized on Amberlite XAD-4. Method has been optimized by changing the pH of analyte solution, solid phase dosage, volume of eluents, flow rate of sample solution and volume of the sample solutions.ResultsThe recoveries of Cd, Cu, and Pb under the optimum conditions were 99±3%, 97±2% and 96±2%, respectively. The resulting preconcentration procedure ensured a 50-fold improvement in the sensitivity of the elements. The detections limits were 62, 74 and 235 ng/mL for Cd, Cu, and Pb before enrichment, respectively. The method was validated by analysis of tomato leaves reference materials (SRM 1573a).ConclusionsThe proposed enrichment method has been successfully applied for the determination of Cd, Cu, and Pb in tomato leaves and water samples with a relative error ≤8%. This method is simple, sensitive, and accurate especially for water sample, only 200 mg of sorbent are required to capture the analytes. It can be concluded that the use of Mucor pusillus (Lindt., 1886) enhanced the sorption ability of Amberlite XAD-4 resin for the retention of Cd, Cu, and Pb.