Rapid Synergistic Cloud Point Extraction (RS-CPE) with Partial Least Squares (PLS) for the Simultaneous Determination of Chlorophenols (CPs) in Environmental Water Samples Using a Microplate Assay (MPA)

Abstract

A sensitive method termed rapid synergistic cloud point extraction (RS-CPE) combined with partial least squares (PLS) was developed for the extraction and simultaneous determination of trace amounts of phenol and three detrimental chlorophenols (CPs) via a microplate assay (MPA). In this study, n-pentanol was used as a novel synergistic inducer and the linear nonionic surfactant Tergitol 15-S-7 was used as an extractant. The whole process of RS-CPE was accomplished in a few minutes without the need for the time-consuming water- or ice-bath steps used in traditional cloud point extraction. An automated and high-throughput assay using a 96-well plate allowed for the simultaneous processing of multiple samples with low sample volume requirements (approximately 200 µL). However, synchronized determination of several CPs using MPA method was problematic because of spectral interferences. Fortunately, a multivariate calibration method using PLS was applied to circumvent these limitations. Under the optimum conditions, the linear dynamic concentration ranges were from 0.5 to 15 µg/mL for 2-chlorophenol and 0.5 to 20 µg/mL for the other analytes. The detection limit range was from 0.275 to 0.419 µg/mL. The enrichment factor was up to 15.4 fold. The developed methodology was successfully applied to quantitative analysis of phenol and three CPs in water samples with recoveries from 90.0% to 109%.