Liquid Microextraction Procedure Research Articles

MOF@N–doped carbon dots–based dispersive solid phase extraction combined dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction of several aflatoxins from raw cow’s milk samples prior to HPLC–FLD

A dispersive solid-phase extraction method based on metal–organic framework and nitrogen–doped carbon dot nanocomposite combined with magnetic ionic liquid-based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction was established for the extraction of aflatoxins from milk samples. For this purpose, the proteins in the sample were precipitated using a zinc sulfate solution. After vortexing (for 5 min) and centrifuging, 35 mg of the sorbent were added into the aqueous phase obtained from previous step, and the mixture was vortexed for five minutes. In the following, the sorbent particles were separated and eluted with methanol in the presence of vortex agitation (4 min). After centrifuging, the eluent phase was mixed with magnetic ionic liquid (1- octyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrachloroferrate) and rapidly injected into deionized water to perform the dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction procedure. Finally, the magnetic solvent was separated in the presence of a magnet and injected into a high-performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence detector after diluting with the mobile phase. Referring to the results, the limits of detection and quantification of the studied aflatoxins were in the ranges of 0.69–1.09 and 2.31–3.63 ng/L, respectively. Extraction recoveries were in the range of 61 to 73 %. At the end, the suggested approach was employed in the analysis of the aflatoxins in the raw cow’s milk samples collected from different regions of East Azarbaijan and AFM1 was found in several samples (34 out of 60 samples). Also, AFB1 was found in three samples.

Optimization of vortex-assisted magnetic nanofluid based liquid phase microextraction for fast, green and reliable extraction of ibuprofen from real samples: Multivariate approach

In this research, the vortex-assisted magnetic nanofluid based liquid phase microextraction (VA-MNF-LPME) procedure was optimized using Box–Behnken Design (BBD) for the selective and reliable extraction of ibuprofen from aqueous solutions. Three MNFs were prepared and tested for the selective extraction of ibuprofen. Ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry (UV–Vis) was used to determine the amount of ibuprofen and measurements were made at a wavelength of 238 nm. The effects of pH, MNF volume, vortex time, volume of back extraction solvent were optimized using BBD. Separation of the MNF phase containing the ibuprofen in aqueous solution was achieved using a neodymium magnet without the need for centrifugation step. Using optimized parameters (pH = 3.4, 690 μL of MNF, 100 s vortex and 230 μL of ethanol), the detection limit and working range of the V-MNF-LPME procedure were 0.6 ng mL−1 and 2–180 ng mL−1, respectively. Relative standard deviations and recovery (for 25 ng mL−1 of ibuprofen solution, N = 5) were 2.8% and 94.1%. Key validation parameters of the method were studied in detail and calculated under optimized conditions. The VA-MNF-LPME procedure was successfully applied to some drugs, baby lettuce and grape leaf samples in ten stages with a standard-addition approach, and quantitative recoveries were obtained (91.4–98.7%).

Development of a dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction procedure based on a natural deep eutectic solvent for ligand-less preconcentration and determination of heavy metals from water and food samples

In the current study, a ligand-less dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction technique assisted ultrasound and vortex equipment (DLLME-A-US-V) procedure was used for the simultaneous preconcentration and extraction of heavy metal ions. The proposed method was done by a natural hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent for the extraction of arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury ions without a complexing agent. The natural deep eutectic solvent was prepared from l-menthol (M) and salicylic acid (SA). The precursor of deep eutectic solvents strongly affects the extraction of metal ions. Among the studied solvents, hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents showed the highest extraction recovery. Under optimal experimental conditions, the method linearity, limits of detection (LOD), limits of quantification (LOQ), relative standard deviations (RSD %), enrichment factors (EF), and extraction recovery (% ER) were equal to 0.005–14 µg/L, 0.0043–0.0088 µg/L, 0.0143–0.0294 µg/L, 1.66–2.83 %, 112–120, and 90–96 %, respectively. The obtained coefficients of determination (r2) were also higher than 0.991. This method was successfully applied to determine some heavy metals in food samples in the ultra-trace range with the recovery values of real samples being 93–108 %.

Application of magnetic dispersive solid phase extraction combined with solidification of floating organic droplet-based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and GC-MS in the extraction and determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in honey

A magnetic dispersive solid phase extraction method combined with solidification of floating organic droplet-based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction has been validated for the extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from honey samples. For this purpose, a carbonised cellulose–ferromagnetic nanocomposite was used as a sorbent through the magnetic dispersive solid phase extraction. For preparation of the sorbent, first, carbonised cellulose nanoparticles were created by treating cellulose filter paper with concentrated solution of sulfuric acid. Then, the prepared nanoparticles were loaded onto Fe3O4 nanoparticles through coprecipitation. In the extraction process, first, a few mg of the sorbent was added to the diluted honey solution and dispersed in it using vortex agitation. The particles were then separated and the adsorbed analytes were eluted with an organic solvent. The eluent was taken and after mixing with a water–immiscible extraction solvent was used in the following solidification of floating organic droplet-based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction procedure. By performing the extraction process under the obtained optimum conditions, low limits of detection (0.08–0.17 ng g−1) and quantification (0.27–0.57 ng g−1), satisfactory precision (relative standard deviations ≤ 5.0%), and wide linear range (0.57–500 ng g−1) with great coefficients of determination (r2≥ 0.9986) were obtained.

Investigation of vortex assisted magnetic deep eutectic solvent based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for separation and determination of vanadium from water and food matrices: Multivariate analysis

A new and simple vortex assisted magnetic deep eutectic solvent dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction procedure (VA-MDES-DLLME) was developed for the determination of vanadium (V) in food and water samples by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). In the extraction medium, a bis(acetylpivalylmethane) ethylenediimine (H2APM2en) was used for the complexation of V(V) in sample solution at pH 6. The VA-MDES-DLLME was optimized by different operation parameters, pH level of solution, MDESs volume, vortex time, concentration of complexing agent and samples volume. The accuracy of VA-MDES-DLLME was confirmed by analysis of certified reference materials (CRMs) and standard additional method in respect to real samples. The detection limit, quantification limit and enhancement factor were found 0.3, 1.0 ng mL−1 and 120, respectively. The linearity was confirmed for wide concentration range from 1 to 600 ng mL−1 and relative standard deviation (RSD) is 2.8 %. The multivariate statistical analysis was used for factorial design to explore the effects of extraction parameters on recovery of V(V) and also significant level of variables.

Combination of three-phase extraction with deep eutectic solvent-based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for the extraction of some antibiotics from egg samples prior to HPLC-DAD

In this study, a three-phase extraction method was combined with a deep eutectic solvent–based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction procedure for the extraction of four antibiotics (doxycycline, enrofloxacin, florfenicol, and chloramphenicol) from egg samples. In this method, a proper amount of egg (yolk and white) was mixed with deionized water. Then n-hexane and acetonitrile were added to the mixture. After adding sodium chloride into the mixture and sonication, acetonitrile was separated and used in the following dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction method. The extracted analytes were concentrated into tetrabutyl ammonium chloride-thymol deep eutectic solvent in the microextraction step. The method optimized by response surface methodology showed acceptable limits of detection and quantification, extraction recoveries, and enrichment factors within the ranges of 0.13–0.49, 0.43–1.63 ng g−1, 64–85%, and 32–43, respectively. The relative standard deviations were less than or equal to 4.6 and 5.1% for intra– and inter–day precisions, respectively. The method was done on different egg samples and enrofloxacin and florfenicol were found in some samples. The analytes were separated and determined by high performance liquid chromatography equipped with diode array detector.

Analysis of PbBi eutectic after matrix separation by acid induced dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction followed by HR-CS-ETAAS determination

Analysis of PbBi eutectic after separation of matrix elements by a simple acid-induced surfactant assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction procedure is reported.

Pesticide content analysis of red and yellow watermelon juices through a solid phase microextraction using a green copper-based metal-organic framework synthesized in water followed by a liquid phase microextraction procedure.

For the first time, this survey demonstrates the use of MIL-53 (Cu) in an analytical method for the detection and determination of some pesticides through their extraction and preconcentration from red and yellow watermelon juices. The other predominance of the research is using a green metal-organic framework that is based on copper and synthesized in deionized water. After conducting the synthesis process, Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and nitrogen adsorption/desorption analyses were carried out. In the analytical approach, the samples were accompanied by the sorbent addition and vortexed to facilitate the sorption of the analytes onto the sorbent and then centrifuged to be settled down. Then, the analyte-loaded sorbent particles were treated with mL-volume of acetonitrile and subjected to vortexing and centrifugation. Eventually, the eluate was mixed with μL-level of carbon tetrachloride and instantly injected into deionized water. The resulting milky solution was centrifuged and consequently, the sedimentation of the organic phase occurred at the bottom of the conical glass test tube. An aliquot of it was injected into a gas chromatograph equipped with flame ionization detector. Low limits of detection (0.85-1.24μgL-1) and quantification (2.80-4.10μgL-1), high enrichment factors (275-330), and reasonable extraction recoveries (55-66%) were the main achievements of the presented method. It is worthwhile to be confessed that chlorpyrifos was detected in red watermelon juice at a concentration of 27 ± 2μgL-1.

Simultaneous Dispersive Liquid–Liquid Microextraction and Determination of Different Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Surface Water

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of persistent organic pollutants of water, and their determination at trace levels in the aquatic ecosystems is essential. In this work, an ultrasound-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) procedure was suggested utilizing a binary dispersive agent for recovery of different molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from waters. The detection was carried out by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) as well as high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence and diode-array detection (HPLC-FD/PDA). The method was optimized for the extraction of analytes with respect to the mixture composition, ratios of components, ultrasonication time and centrifugation parameters. The analytical schemes for PAHs extraction from water samples using different ratios of extraction and dispersive solvents are reported. The mixture consisting of chloroform and methanol was applied for the extraction of PAHs containing two or three fused aromatic rings; the mixture of chloroform and acetonitrile is suitable for PAHs containing more than four aromatic rings. The mixture of chloroform:acetone + acetonitrile was applied in the universal scheme and allowed for the simultaneous extraction of 20 PAHs with different structures. The developed sample preparation schemes were combined with GC-MS and HPLC-FD/PDA, which allowed us to determine the analytes at low concentrations (from 0.0002 µg/L) with the recoveries exceeding 80% and relative standard deviations of about 8%. The developed methods for the determination of 20 PAHs were applied to the analysis of water samples from the Karasun Lake (Krasnodar), Azov Sea (Temryuk) and Black Sea (Sochi).

Eco-friendly dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction procedure based on solidification of floated organic drop coupled with back-extraction for preconcentration of rare earth elements

ABSTRACT In this study, a simple and efficient eco-friendly procedure for preconcentration of trace amounts of Y, Sm, Eu, Gd, Er and Yb was developed prior to determination by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The extraction process involved two sequential steps. The first is based on ultrasonic-assisted emulsification solidified floating organic drop microextraction using morin and 1-undecanol as complexing and extraction agents, respectively. The analyte in the solidified floated organic drop was then back-extracted into aqueous solution of HNO3 to prevent the relapsing effect of the organic matrix on the performance of ICP-OES. The effect of various experimental parameters on the extraction efficiency was studied and optimised. The limits of detection were in the range of 0.053 (Y) – 0.086 (Sm) µg L−1 with linear dynamic analytical range of 0.3–1000 µg L−1 at the optimal conditions. The relative standard deviations (C = 20 µg L−1, n = 10) ranged from 1.7% (Eu) to 2.5% (Yb). Finally, the approach represented high efficiency in determining the rare earth elements in certified reference material and phosphite rock samples.

Application of magnetic ionic liquid-based air–assisted liquid–liquid microextraction followed by back-extraction optimized with centroid composite design for the extraction of antibiotics from milk samples prior to their determination by HPLC–DAD

This research aims to suggest a magnetic ionic liquid-based air–assisted liquid–liquid microextraction procedure for preconcentration of seven multiclass antibiotics (doxycycline, tetracycline, oxytetracycline, penicillin G, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, and enrofloxacin) before their determination by high performance liquid chromatography equipped with diode array detector. In the extraction process, firstly, the proteins of milk sample were precipitated using zinc acetate solution and the obtained supernatant was transferred into a glass test tube. After that, 100 µL of 1–butyl–3–methylimidazolium tetrachloroferrate ionic liquid (as an extraction solvent) was added to the solution and the resulted mixture was sucked into a glass syringe and pushed out for four times. By doing so, the cloudy state was obtained and the analytes were extracted into the produced fine droplets of the magnetic solvent. This solvent was sedimented at the bottom of the tube with the aid of an external magnet and after back–extraction of the analytes into 15 μL of a mixture of methanol, acetonitrile, and deionized water containing 0.2% formic acid (16.6, 16.6, and 66.6, v/v/v). Then, the extractant was injected into the separation system. Good analytical results such as wide linear ranges, high enrichment factors (526–606) and extraction recoveries (79–91%), and low limits of detection (0.09–0.21 ng mL−1) and quantification (0.29–0.71 ng mL−1) were obtained under the best experimental situations. Finally, the introduced procedure was employed for the quantification of the selected antibiotics in various milk samples marketed in Tabriz city (Iran).

Sonochemical synthesis of deep eutectic solvent-coated magnetic nanoparticles and their application in magnetic dispersive micro solid phase extraction–dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from mascara

In this study, application of magnetic dispersive micro solid phase extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from mascara was reported. The extracted analytes were concentrated by a dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction procedure to reach high enrichment factors and low detection limits. In this work, deep eutectic solvent-coated iron nanoparticles were synthesized sonochemically and characterized by energy–dispersive X–ray spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Furrier transform infrared spectrometry, and vibrating sample magnetometry. The extraction procedure was done by extracting the analytes from mascara into an aqueous solution composed of methanol and deionized water. Then the sorbent was added into the solution and the mixture was vortexed. After that the sorbent was separated from the aqueous solution and the analytes were desorbed by methanol with the aid of vortexing. Whole of the elution solvent was collected and mixed with carbon tetrachloride and dispersed into sodium chloride solution. Validation data showed that limits of detection and quantification were within the ranges of 0.33–0.57 and 1.1–1.9 ng/g, respectively. Relative standard deviation values were ≤ 8.6%. The extraction recovery values were in the range of 80–95%. The new method was successfully used for the analysis of the studied compounds in five mascara samples and three analytes were detected in all samples at ng/g level.

A mixed deep eutectic solvents-based air-assisted liquid–liquid microextraction of surfactants from exhaled breath condensate samples prior to HPLC-MS/MS analysis

A ternary solvent system-based air-assisted liquid–liquid microextraction procedure was developed for the extraction of three surfactants from exhaled breath condensate samples prior to their determination by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. In this approach, different deep eutectic solvents were synthesized based on phosphocholine chloride and fatty acids and their mixtures were used as the extraction solvents to effective extraction of the analytes. To obtain the optimum composition of the extraction solvents, a simplex centroid design approach was used. Then the effective parameters were studied by response surface methodology using central composite design. The obtained data after optimization showed that 6 times was the best extraction time for the developed procedure. When the sample solution pH was adjusted at 3.7, the method reached to higher extraction efficiency which can be related to the fact that the analytes were in the protonated forms. Increasing the sample solution temperature up to 50 °C enhanced the migration rate of the analytes into the extraction solvent and the method efficacy was increased. Also addition of sodium chloride at 2.8% (w/v) had a positive effect on the method efficiency which can be related to decreasing the analytes solubility in the sample solution. Under optimal conditions, the method showed satisfactory coefficient of determination (≥0.9979), low limit of detection (0.12–0.23 ng mL−1) and quantification (0.39–0.76 ng mL−1), acceptable repeatability in deionized water (relative standard deviation ≤ 8.2%) and in exhaled breath condensate (relative standard deviation ≤ 7.2%), and acceptable extraction recovery (75–86%) and enrichment factor (71–86). Considering these results, the developed method provided a quick and efficient way to determine surfactants in the exhaled breath condensate collected from expiratory circuit of the mechanical ventilator. It can be used in drug monitoring and clinical studies.

Magnetic dispersive solid-phase extraction of some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from honey samples using iron (III) oxinate nanocomposite as an efficient sorbent.

In this work, iron (III) oxinate magnetic nanocomposite was synthesized and employed as an efficient sorbent for the magnetic dispersive solid-phase extraction of some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from honey samples. In the following, dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction procedure was used for further preconcentration of the analytes. The prepared sorbent was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry, X-ray diffractometry, vibrating sample magnetometry, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The results verified the successful formation of the magnetic sorbent. In the extraction process, the sorbent was added into an aqueous solution and the mixture was vortexed. After completing the adsorption process, the supernatant phase was separated in the presence of a magnet and the analytes adsorbed onto sorbent were eluted by acetonitrile. Then, microliter-level 1,1,1-trichloroethane was mixed with the obtained acetonitrile and injected into NaCl solution. Finally, one microliter of the sedimented phase was injected into gas chromatography-flame ionization detector after centrifugation. Under the optimum conditions, a great repeatability (relative standard deviation equal or less than 5 and 6% for intra- and interday precisions, respectively), acceptable extraction recoveries (59-84%), high enrichment factors (118-168), and low limits of detection and quantification (0.16-0.36 and 0.56-1.22 ng/g, respectively) were acquired.

Optimization of magnetic ionic based dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction of cadmium in water and food samples using experimental design prior to flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry

A magnetic ionic based dispersive liquid liquid microextraction (MIL-DLLME) procedure was optimized for the analysis and extraction of cadmium in water and food samples by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS). Contribution of experimental variables were optimized through central composite design combined with response surface analysis. Under optimized conditions, the limit of detection was found 0.6 ng mL−1 with the relative standard deviation of 1.7%. Dynamic range was obtained in the concentration range of 2–700 ng mL−1 with correlation coefficient of 0.9983. Relative recoveries were ranged from 94% to 99% with enrichment factor of 172. The validation of the optimized method was successfully confirmed by reference material analysis. The optimized method allows the analysis of cadmium in water and food samples with good reliability of the determination. Compared with the conventional procedures, the method enabled a fast, green and simple determination of cadmium in the real sample with minimal solvent consumption and a higher extraction capability.

DES-based vortex-assisted liquid-liquid microextraction procedure developed for the determination of paraben preservatives in mouthwashes

A green deep eutectic solvent-based vortex-assisted liquid–liquid microextraction (DES-VALLME) procedure for the determination of parabens in mouthwashes was developed. Deep eutectic solvents formed by combining DL-menthol and decanoic acid in different mol ratios were prepared, the highest extraction recovery was obtained with DES consisting of 4:1 M ratio, and this DES was used as an extraction solvent for paraben determination in mouthwashes. The effect of parameters such as solution pH, mol ratio of DES composition, DES volume, vortex and centrifugation time and sample volume were examined. Optimum working conditions of the study; 400 µL DES, 3 min. vortex time, 5 min. centrifugation time, 5 mL sample volume were determined. The detection limit was in the range of 4.6–6.1 µg L−1, while the RSDs values were in the range of 0.70–1.41% in intraday and 1.27–2.41% in interday. The method in the study was successfully applied for the determination of methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl paraben in 10 different mouthwashes obtained from cosmetic stores..

Improved magnetic solid-phase extraction based on magnetic sorbent obtained from sand for the extraction of pesticides from fruit juice.

A combination of magnetic solid-phase extraction using an efficient and cheap magnetic sorbent obtained from sand and dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction has been developed for the extraction of nine multiclass pesticides (clodinafop-propargyl, haloxyfop-R-methyl, fenoxaprop-P-ethyl, oxadiazon, penconazole, diniconazole, chlorpyrifos, fenazaquin, and fenpropathrin) from commercial fruit juices (sour cherry, pomegranate, grape, watermelon, orange, apricot, and peach juices). The enriched pesticides were determined by gas chromatography-flame ionization detector and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The sorbent was natural iron oxide entrapped in silica along with some impurities. In this method, to extract the analytes from the samples, an appropriate amount of the magnetic sorbent (at mg level) is added. Then the sorbent particles are isolated from the solution using an external magnetic field and the adsorbed analytes are desorbed from the sorbent by acetone. In the following, a dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction procedure is carried out to concentrate the analytes more and to reach low limits of detection. Under optimized extraction conditions, the method revealed satisfactory repeatability (relative standard deviation ≤8% for intra-day and inter-day precision), reasonable extraction recovery (43.3-55.9%), high enrichment factors (433-559), and low limits of detection (0.45-0.89 μg L-1 ). The method was applied in the analysis of pesticides in various fruit juices. Chlorpyrifos was found in peach juice at a concentration of 27 ± 2 μg L-1 (n=3) using a gas chromatography-flame ionization detector. To verify the results, the peach juice was also injected into gas chromatography-mass spectrometry after applying the proposed extraction method. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Green deep eutectic solvent assisted liquid–liquid microextraction procedure for Sunset Yellow dye in effervescent vitamin C tablets

Green deep eutectic solvent assisted liquid–liquid microextraction procedure for Sunset Yellow dye in effervescent vitamin C tablets

Development of a novel dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction for the determination of ergosterol in roots and various fungi samples

In this work, a novel dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction procedure was developed for the determination of ergosterol using high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection. The effect of several parameters, such as the selection of extraction and dispersive solvents and their volumes, extraction time, salt concentration and, pH, were studied. Under optimized experimental conditions, the calibration plot was found to be linear in the range of 0.02–10 µg mL−1, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9995. The limits of detection and limit of quantification were found to be 0.006 and 0.02 µg mL−1, respectively. The enrichment factor was 85. The average recoveries, measured at two concentration levels, were in the range of 95–101%, with RSD less than 14%. The developed method was applied for the determination of ergosterol as a biomarker of mycorrhizae presence in Norway spruce roots and various fungi samples.

A sensitive vesicle mediated dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction of parts per quadrillion levels of beryllium from seawater samples prior to graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry determination

A rapid and highly sensitive vesicle mediated dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction procedure is developed for the determination of parts per quadrillion level of beryllium in seawater and air filter samples for providing its natural background and contamination levels. In this procedure, dioctylsulfosuccinate, an anionic vesicular surfactant and acetylacetone are used as dispersing and chelating agents, respectively. At pH > 9.5, beryllium forms hydrophobic beryllium-acetylacetonate complex spontaneously at room temperature. This complex is selectively filled into the vesicular cavities of dioctylsulfosuccinate and is extracted into small chloroform phase from bulk aqueous phase. The beryllium present in the chloroform phase is back extracted with dilute nitric acid and is analyzed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. This method is applied to groundwater, seawater, coal fly ash, air filter and sea sludge samples. Under the optimized conditions, the limit of detection, limit of quantification and linear dynamic range are 10 fg mL−1, 33 fg mL−1 and 40–500 fg mL−1 for seawater; 0.15 ng g−1, 0.5 ng g−1 and 0.4–4 ng g−1 for air filter and 1.5 ng g−1, 0.39 ng g−1 and 0.4–4 ng g−1 for coal fly ash, respectively. For 1 L seawater sample an enrichment factor of 954 is achieved. Coefficient of determination (R2) is found to be 0.997. The recoveries are in the range of 94–105% at 200–500 fg mL−1. The relative standard deviations are 20%, 11%, 8% for ppq, ppt and ppb levels of Be, respectively. The accuracy of the procedure is verified by analyzing NIST SRMs 1640 and 1640a trace elements in natural water.