Pressurized Solvent Extraction Research Articles

Concomitant determination of PAH, PCBs, and phthalates in indoor air and dust from residential houses in the Strasbourg region of France

Global attention is drawn to the significant issue of indoor pollution, given its direct negative impact on human health and wellness. Typically, individuals can nowadays spend 80% or more of their time in enclosed built locations where they can be prone to a multitude of harmful toxic chemicals distributed in particulate and gas phases. Therefore, a systematic efficient monitoring of such chemicals in indoor environments is urgently required to devise and implement various measures that allow their control. The objective of this study is to evaluate the concomitance occurrence of phthalates, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) within the indoor settings of residential homes in Strasbourg. It focused on both the indoor air and dust samples collected in nine residential homes in Strasbourg for a one-year sampling period, February 2016 - February 2017. For this, Radiello®, SiC© foams, and Tenax-TA® were successfully introduced and used as reliable passive samplers for the aforementioned matrices. Extractions were carried out using pressurized solvent extraction (PSE) followed by ATD-GC/MSMS analysis. The findings of the presented study revealed that 12 PAHs, 18 PCBs, and 7 phthalates were regularly perceived in the indoor environments of the houses under assessment. In gaseous samples, the average concentrations of the detected pollutant were approximately 3,919, 4.3, and 601.6 ng/sampler for PAHs, PCBs, and phthalates, respectively. As for dust samples, the average concentrations of the detected pollutant were approximately 3,438, 6.2, and 1,816.2 ng/g, respectively. The obtained results showed that PCBs exhibited the lowest concentration in both matrices. However, air samples were mostly contaminated by PAHs, while dust samples showed higher levels of phthalates. These results are correlated to the physico-chemical properties of these compounds and to their origin and source of emission. The findings of this study stress the importance of indoor pollution assessment so that the risks associated with it could be controlled.

Pressurized solvent extraction for the determination of alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by GC/MS in diesel engine emissions: optimization by response surface methodology

Pressurized solvent extraction for the determination of alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by GC/MS in diesel engine emissions: optimization by response surface methodology

Previous successes and untapped potential of pyrolysis-GC/MS for the analysis of plastic pollution.

There is growing concern from scientists, policy makers, and the public about the contamination of natural and indoor environments with plastics, particularly micro/nanoplastics. Typically, characterizing microplastics in environmental samples requires extensive sample processing to isolate particles, followed by spectroscopic methodologies to identify particle polymer composition. Spectroscopic techniques are limited in their ability to provide polymer mass or advanced chemical composition (e.g., chemical additive content), which are important for toxicological assessments. To achieve mass fraction quantification and chemical characterization of plastics in environmental samples, many researchers have turned to thermoanalytical spectrometric approaches, particularly pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). Sample preparation for Py-GC/MS may be approached similarly to techniques needed for spectroscopic approaches (e.g., isolate particles on a filter), employ pressurized solvent extraction, or use ultrafiltration techniques to concentrate nanoplastics. Great strides have been made in using calibration curves to quantify plastics in complex matrices. However, the approaches to the pyrolysis thermal program, as well as calibrant and sample preparation, are inconsistent, requiring refinement and harmonization. This review provides a critical synthesis of previous Py-GC/MS work and highlights opportunities for novel and improved Py-GC/MS analysis of plastics in the future.

Overview of Extraction Methods for Extracting Seaweed and its Applications

Seaweed is a carbohydrate polymer of alginate, agar, and carrageenan which can be extracted and purified as hydrocolloids. Each carbohydrate has different physicochemical properties and hydrocolloids can form gels when dispersed in water. To achieve targeted hydrocolloids according to specific purposes and functions, conventional extraction methods, and several green extraction methods for extracting seaweed have been proposed and discussed. The conventional extraction method is in the form of solvent extraction (SLE), while the green extraction includes: microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), pressurized solvent extraction (PSE), and reactive extrusion which automatically selectively presented as a promising method for extracting hydrocolloids in seaweed. These methods have been applied by taking into account the recovery rate, time, volume, temperature, pH, ratio, and type of solvent, as well as the type of method. This study discusses extraction methods that can extract bioactive compounds from seaweed with high yields and are economical and environmentally friendly

Synergistic Inhibiting Effect of Phytochemicals in Rheum palmatum on Tyrosinase Based on Metabolomics and Isobologram Analyses.

Tyrosinase (TYR) plays a key role in the enzymatic reaction that is responsible for a range of unwanted discoloration effects, such as food browning and skin hyperpigmentation. TYR inhibitors could, therefore, be candidates for skin care products that aim to repair pigmentation problems. In this study, we used a metabolomics approach combined with the isobologram analysis to identify anti-TYR compounds within natural resources, and evaluate their possible synergism with each other. Rheum palmatum was determined to be a model plant for observing the effect, of which seven extracts with diverse phytochemicals were prepared by way of pressurized solvent extraction. Each Rheum palmatum extract (RPE) was profiled using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and its activity of tyrosinase inhibition was evaluated. According to the orthogonal partial least square analysis used to correlate phytochemicals in RPE with the corresponding activity, the goodness of fit of the model (R2 = 0.838) and its predictive ability (Q2 = 0.711) were high. Gallic acid and catechin were identified as the active compounds most relevant to the anti-TYR effect of RPE. Subsequently, the activity of gallic acid and catechin were evaluated individually, and when combined in various ratios by using isobologram analysis. The results showed that gallic acid and catechin in the molar ratios of 9:5 and 9:1 exhibited a synergistic inhibition on TYR, with a combination index lower than 0.77, suggesting that certain combinations of these compounds may prove effective for use in cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and food industries.

Comparative Analysis of the Liquid CO2 Washing with Conventional Wash on Firefighters’ Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Firefighters are exposed to several potentially carcinogenic fireground contaminants. The current NFPA 1851 washing procedures are less effective in cleaning due to the limited intensity of the washing conditions that are used. The 2020 edition of NFPA 1851 has added limited specialized cleaning for higher efficacy. The liquid carbon dioxide (CO2) laundering technique has gained popularity in recent years due to its availability to remove contaminants and its eco-friendliness. The primary aim of this study is to address the firefighter questions regarding the efficacy of cleaning with liquid CO2 and to compare it with the conventional washing technique. The unused turnout jackets were contaminated with a mixture of fireground contaminants. These turnout jackets were cleaned with conventional NFPA 1851-appoved aqueous washing and a commercially available liquid CO2 method. Post-cleaning samples were analyzed for contamination using pressurized solvent extraction and GC-MS. The liquid CO2 technique demonstrated considerable improvement in washing efficiency compared to the conventional washing.

A streamlined method for pressurized extraction and fractionation of leaf lipids

Plant leaf lipids are complex mixtures, which may include n-alkanes, n-alkanols, fatty acids, phenolic compounds, phytosterols, terpenes, flavonoids, and alkaloids. Many of these compounds are also widely distributed in sediments and soils, preserving molecular and isotopic information that aids the study of past climatic and ecological variables. Sample preparation typically requires multi-step extraction and fractionation procedures, making it impractical to process large numbers of samples in most laboratories. This study reports a streamlined method of leaf lipid extraction, cleanup and fractionation on commercial pressurized solvent extraction systems. A method using solid-phase adsorbents placed within the sample cell during total lipid extraction, eliminating the need for subsequent cleanup procedures, is referred to as solid phase in-cell cleanup (SPIC). Additionally, we demonstrate the feasibility of lipid fractionation according to functional group chemistries by combining in-cell solid-phase adsorption with a serial addition of protic solvents, which we refer to as solid phase in-cell fractionation (SPIF). We applied SPIC to angiosperm leaves, Morus celtidifolia, and SPIF to gymnosperm leaves of Juniperus ashei and lacustrine sediment. Molecular yields were measured by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and compared to traditional gravity-fed silica gel column fractionation. The SPIC yields of n-alkanes, n-alkanols, and n-alkanoic acids from M. celtidifolia leaves were greater than traditional silica gel column fractionation by 37%, 83% and 59%, respectively. SPIF was highly effective in separating hydrocarbons and alcohols from the corresponding acids. The time for using SPIC/SPIF was 1.8-fold less per sample than that involved in using traditional columns.

Conservation with elephants and agricultural intensification: effects on lignin and n-alkanes in soils of sub-Saharan Africa

Nature conservation is currently shaping many terrestrial ecosystems in Africa. This is particularly evident in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where conservation is intended to recover wildlife populations, with special focus on elephants. Rising numbers of elephants induce woody biomass losses but increase soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks from decaying wood and dung. We hypothesized that these increases under wildlife conservation in SSA go along with rising contents of plant residues in SOC, traceable by the molecular markers lignin and n-alkanes. In contrast, agricultural intensification would reduce them due to lower C input and faster SOC turnover through tillage. To test this, we analyzed lignin by the CuO oxidation method and n-alkanes by fast pressurized solvent extraction in topsoils (0–10 cm) of Arenosols and corresponding plant samples (trees, grasses and crops). Sampling sites followed conservation gradients with low, medium and high elephant densities and intensification gradients with rangeland and cropland in the woodland savanna of the Namibian Zambezi Region. Patterns of lignin-derived phenols were retained in the soil, whereas n-alkanes showed shifts in chain lengths. n-Alkanes also showed no clear increase or decrease under conservation or intensification, respectively. Differently, lignin-derived phenols showed lower values under intensification than under conservation. Confirming our hypothesis, rising SOC contents with rising elephant densities (from 4.4 at low to 5.7 g kg−1 SOC at high elephant densities) went along with an increasing accumulation of lignin-derived phenols (24.4–34.8 g kg−1 VSCOC). This increase is associated with the input of woody debris to the soil, as indicated by V-units and carbon isotopes, modulated by clay and woody biomass. We conclude, that increasing input of woody residues into soil by browsing behaviour of elephants is an important mechanism for controlling SOC supply in the context of wildlife conservation and is traceable with lignin-derived phenols, but not with n-alkanes.

Exploration by molecular networking of Strychnos alkaloids reveals the unexpected occurrence of strychnine in seven Strychnos species

IntroductionPlants of the Strychnos genus, which include about 200 species, are used for multiple traditional purposes as hunting poison, for example, and have shown interesting pharmacological properties, especially curarizing and tetanizing, but also against malaria. Many monoterpene indole alkaloids have already been isolated and identified. Among them, there is strychnine, a famous alkaloid that can cause death by asphyxiation. ObjectiveInvestigate alkaloidic molecular diversity from Strychnos genus using molecular networking technique and study the Strychnos genus from a chemotaxonomic point of view. Material and methodsTwenty-eight different species and different plant parts were ground into powder using a grinder. The methanolic extracts were carried out using a pressurized solvent extraction and the alkaloid extract was performed manually with a separating funnel. The extracts were analyzed by HPLC-ESI(+)-Q/TOF. The data were processed using MZmine 2 software and the molecular network was generated on the GNPS platform. The study of the generated molecular network allowed the detection of various alkaloids. Among these is the famous strychnine which has been detected in 7 new Strychnos species not yet described as strychnine producers. This identification was investigated using orthogonal approaches, namely TLC, NMR, HPLC-UV and UHPLC-ESI(+)-Q/TOF analyses. The LOD by HPLC-UV of strychnine was also determined. ResultsFurther analyses allowed to confirm the presence of strychnine in S. densiflora trunk barks but also to show the presence of strychnine with high probability in the trunk barks of S. camptoneura, S. congolana, S. boonei, and S. tchibangensis, and in the leaves of S. usambarensis. About the trunk barks of S. tricalyisoides, the probability of a strychnine content remains low. ConclusionThis work exemplified the efficiency of molecular networking in identifying known metabolites (major and minor alkaloids) involved in the chemotaxonomic study of plants from Strychnos genus.

Green Extraction Techniques as Advanced Sample Preparation Approaches in Biological, Food, and Environmental Matrices: A Review.

Green extraction techniques (GreETs) emerged in the last decade as greener and sustainable alternatives to classical sample preparation procedures aiming to improve the selectivity and sensitivity of analytical methods, simultaneously reducing the deleterious side effects of classical extraction techniques (CETs) for both the operator and the environment. The implementation of improved processes that overcome the main constraints of classical methods in terms of efficiency and ability to minimize or eliminate the use and generation of harmful substances will promote more efficient use of energy and resources in close association with the principles supporting the concept of green chemistry. The current review aims to update the state of the art of some cutting-edge GreETs developed and implemented in recent years focusing on the improvement of the main analytical features, practical aspects, and relevant applications in the biological, food, and environmental fields. Approaches to improve and accelerate the extraction efficiency and to lower solvent consumption, including sorbent-based techniques, such as solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and fabric-phase sorbent extraction (FPSE), and solvent-based techniques (μQuEChERS; micro quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), in addition to supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and pressurized solvent extraction (PSE), are highlighted.

Recovery and Preparation of Potassium Fluorotantalate from High-Tantalum-Bearing Waste Slag by Pressure Alkaline Decomposition

Tantalum slag is a type of high-grade tantalum resource with great recovery value. In this paper, a low fluorine process, including alkali pressure decomposition, low-acid transformation, solvent extraction, and crystallization, is proposed to recover tantalum and prepare potassium fluotantalate. First, some tantalum slag underwent alkali pressure decomposition, and the optimal decomposition conditions were obtained under a reaction time of 2 h, oxygen partial pressure 2.5 MPa, liquid–solid ratio 4:1, basicity 40 wt.%, and temperature 200 °C. Under these conditions, the decomposition efficiencies of Ta and Nb were 93.62% and 95.42%, respectively. X-Ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used to detect the main phase of the decomposition residue and showed that it was mainly sodium tantalate. With the increase in oxygen partial pressure, the particle size of decomposition slag gradually decreases and becomes loose. Second, the alkali decomposition residue was subjected to low-acid leaching to obtain fluorine tantalate and fluorine niobate, and the leaching efficiencies of tantalum and niobium were more than 99%. Last, the low-acid leaching solution was subjected to solvent extraction and evaporative crystallization to prepare potassium fluotantalate. The results showed that the tantalum extraction rate and tantalum and niobium separation factors were above 94% and 200, respectively, and the purity of potassium fluotantalate met the requirements of commercial products. Compared with current industrial practice, the consumption of hydrofluoric acid was greatly reduced, and the recovery rate of tantalum was increased.

Continuous pressurized extraction versus electric fields-assisted extraction of cyanobacterial pigments

Cyanobacteria pigments, in special carotenoids and phycobiliproteins, are usually used in industry as raw extracts, although there is still no standard methodology for their extraction. For the co-extraction of carotenoids and phycobiliproteins from the marine cyanobacterium Cyanobium sp., a continuous pressurized solvent extraction (CPSE) system and an electric fields-assisted extraction system based in ohmic heating were optimized using Central Composite Designs, with three factors each: time (t), temperature (T) and, flow (f) for CPSE; and time, temperature and frequency (F) for ohmic heating. The content of pigments and the antioxidant capacity of extracts were evaluated. All tested factors seem to influence the extraction of pigments in different ways: a high temperature (70 °C) had a positive impact on the extraction rate in both methods, while the influence of time depended on the extraction principle. Flow and frequency affected directly the extraction efficiency and these methods are indeed suitable for cyanobacterial pigments extraction, achieving good extraction results. Optimal conditions for co-extraction of carotenoids and phycobiliproteins in CPSE were T = 70 °C, t = 20 min and f = 1.5 mL min−1, and for ohmic heating they were T = 70 °C, t = 5 min and F = 20 kHz. Both, CPSE and ohmic heating systems allowed obtaining better extraction yields when compared with a previously optimized extraction method (homogenization), used here as a reference. However, ohmic heating was the best methodology for pigments co-extraction from Cyanobium sp.

Extraction of microplastic from marine sediments: A comparison between pressurized solvent extraction and density separation

Due to the ecotoxicological effects, microplastics are considered a threat for the marine environment. Recent reports indicate their presence not only in subsurface water and in coastal beach sediments, but also in the deep-sea. Notwithstanding, there is still not a scientific consensus about the analytical procedure to be applied for their determination. In this work we compared the performance of two extraction methods: pressurized solvent extraction (PSE) and density separation. Sea sand and seafloor sediments were spiked with known amounts of polystyrene (PS), polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) microplastics and submitted to both the extraction procedures. Results showed that the PSE ensured higher recoveries for the smaller size particle fractions (89,2 ± 1.1% in the 50–150 μm range) whereas the density separation enabled precise recoveries for the larger size particles (SD = 1,5%). No significant differences in terms of blanks control were highlighted.

Determination of Neonicotinoid Insecticides and their Metabolites, and Strobilurin Fungicides in Atmospheric Particles using Liquid Chromatography-Positive Electrospray Ionization-Tandem Mass Spectrometry

A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of metabolites of neonicotinoid insecticides with neonicotinoid insecticides and strobilurin fungicides in the particle phase fraction of atmospheric samples. Pressurized solvent extraction was used to extract the target analytes from particles collected on glass fiber filters, followed by a C18 SPE cleanup step. Recoveries of 85.9 to 108.3% and relative standard deviation <13% were obtained for all analytes. The method detection limit for metabolites of neonicotinoid insecticides were 0.5-3 ng/ mL (air concentrations of 0.44-2.66 pg/m³). Matrix effects were compensated for using standard addition calibration for quantitation. This paper provides the first detection of desmethyl-thiamethoxam which coincided with higher concentrations of thiamethoxam in atmospheric particles. Other neonicotinoid insecticides and strobilurin fungicides detected in the particle phase in the atmosphere included acetamiprid, clothianidin, imidacloprid, azoxystrobin, kresoxim-methyl, pyraclostrobin, and trifloxystrobin. This research highlights the potential of not only neonicotinoid insecticides and strobilurin fungicides moving in the atmosphere in the particle phase, but also a metabolite of thiamethoxam (desmethyl-thiamethoxam) in a region with orchards and vineyards where foliar applications with air blast sprayers dominate.

Recovery of Indium from Hard Zinc Slag by Pressure Leaching and Solvent Extraction

In this study, hydrometallurgical processes involving pressure acid leaching and solvent extraction were developed to aid recovery of indium from zinc slag, which is produced in the imperial smelting process. Four different acid leaching methods were studied, namely atmospheric leaching, atmospheric leaching with KMnO4, roasting-atmospheric leaching, and oxygen pressure leaching in a sulfuric acid medium. Oxygen pressure acid leaching is the most effective method for indium extraction, and 94.1% of indium was leached under the optimum conditions, i.e., 300 g/L H2SO4,oxygen pressure 0.4 MPa, liquid/solid ratio 10 mL/g, and temperature 100°C for 5 h. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy examination of the raw material and leaching residue samples indicated that the intermetallic compounds Cu5Zn8and Cu2Zn, metallic zinc, and iron in the raw material dissolved, leaving the insoluble components PbSO4 and Pb as the major compounds in the leaching residue. A 98.5% proportion of the indium in the leaching solution was selectively extracted with 30% bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate and 70% kerosene by three-stage counter-current extraction, and 99.5% of the indium in the loaded organic phase was stripped by 6 mol/L HCl through four-stage counter-current stripping. The overall recovery yield of indium through all processes was approximately 92%.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAHs) Analyses in Marine Tissues Using Accelerated Solvent Extraction (ASE) in Tandem with In-Cell Purification and GC‑MS

The aim of this research was the replacement of conventional sample extraction techniques for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in tissue samples for a reliable, fast and ecofriendly procedure. The method was developed using a pressurized solvent extraction method and assessing two different standard reference materials (fish and mussel) and freeze-dried and fortified sardine samples (Sardinella sp.). Five different extraction procedures were evaluated and the best performance comprised 1 g of lyophilized tissue, 5 g of deactivated (5%) silica, a dichloromethane:methanol (4:1 v/v) mixture, a temperature of 80 °C, three cycles, 10 min of static time and 90 s of purge time. The method selected following these tests was further validated through the analysis of nine replicates of the National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST) reference material No. 2976, resulting in an effective recovery of 83 ± 14%. The means and uncertainties attained for each PAH were equivalent to those of the reference material, corroborating the reliability of the developed method. A shorter processing time, less use of solvents and reagents and lower extract manipulation produced an effective method aligned with green-chemistry guidelines.

Potential of pressurized solvent extraction for reduction of gossypol from cottonseed meal

Potential of pressurized solvent extraction for reduction of gossypol from cottonseed meal

Extraction of naturally occurring cannabinoids: an update.

Organic molecules that interact with the cannabinoid receptors are called cannabinoids, which can be endogenous, natural or synthetic compounds. They possess similar pharmacological properties as produced by the plant, Cannabis sativa L. Before cannabinoids can be analysed, they need to be extracted from the matrices. To review literature on the methods and protocols for the extraction of naturally occurring cannabinoids. An extensive literature search was performed incorporating several databases, notably, Web of Knowledge, PubMed and Google Scholar, and other relevant published materials. The keywords used in the search, in various combinations, with cannabinoids and extraction being present in all combinations, were Cannabis, hemp, cannabinoids, Cannabis sativa, marijuana, and extraction. In addition to classical maceration with organic solvents, e.g. ethanol, pressurised solvent extraction, solvent heat reflux, Soxhlet extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction and microwave-assisted extraction, are routinely used nowadays for the extraction of cannabinoids from plant materials and cannabis consumer products. For the extraction of cannabinoids from biological samples, e.g. human blood, and also from food and beverages, and wastewater, solid-phase extraction and its variants, as well as liquid-liquid extraction are commonly used. Parameters for extraction can be optimised by response surface methodology or other mathematical modelling tools. There are at least six US patents on extraction of cannabinoids available to date. Irrespective of the extraction method, extraction temperature, extraction time and extraction pressure play a vital role in overall yield of extraction. Solvent polarity can also be an important factor in some extraction methods.

Screening for 32 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) including GenX in sludges from 43 WWTPs located in the Czech Republic - Evaluation of potential accumulation in vegetables after application of biosolids

Highly persistent, toxic and bioaccumulative per - and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) represents a serious problem for the environment and their concentrations and fate remain largely unknown. The present study consists of a PFAS screening in sludges originating from 43 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the Czech Republic. To analyze an extended group of PFAS consisting of 32 PFAS, including GenX and other new replacements of older and restricted PFAS in sludge, a new method was optimized and validated using pressurized solvent extraction, followed by the SPE clean-up step to eliminate the observed matrix effects and LC-MS/MS. The results revealed high PFAS contamination of sewage sludge, reaching values from 5.6 to 963.2 ng g−1. The results showed that in the majority of the samples (about 60%), PFOS was the most abundant among the targeted PFAS, reaching 932.9 ng g−1. Approximately 20% of the analyzed samples contained more short-chain PFAS, suggesting the replacement of long-chain PFAS (especially restricted PFOA and PFOS). GenX was detected in 9 samples, confirming the trend in the use of new PFAS. The results revealed that significantly higher contamination was detected in the samples from large WWTPs (population equivalent > 50,000; p-value <0.05). Concerning the application of sludge in agriculture, our prediction using the respective PFAS bioconcentration factors, the observed concentrations, and the legislatively permitted management of biosolids in Czech Republic agriculture revealed that PFAS can cause serious contamination of cereals and vegetables (oat, celery shoots and lettuce leaves), as well as general secondary contamination of the environment.

An integrated extraction method coupling pressurized solvent extraction, solid phase extraction and solid-phase micro extraction for the quantification of selected organic pollutants in air by gas and liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry

The continuous release of chemicals in the environment is nowadays a main concern due to their harmful effects. In this paper, a new and efficient extraction and analytical method for the assessment of 103 pesticides, 17 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 22 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs), using passive samplers for the assessment of the ambient air pollution in Strasbourg region was proposed. The samplers used were based on XAD®-2 resins and on NMC@SiC foams. The proposed extraction procedure was based on pressurized solvent extraction (PSE) followed by a solid-phase extraction (SPE) prior to chromatographic analysis. Afterwards, extracts were analyzed using liquid and gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometer. However, prior to the gas chromatography (GC) analysis a pre-concentration / pre-injection step based on solid-phase microextraction (SPME) was used. Moreover, the developed method was tested for the extraction solvent used, the extraction time needed for each step as well as the cartridge type required for SPE and the fiber type used for SPME. Subsequently, the method was validated for its linearity proved for a determination coefficient (R2) higher than 0.98 for the majority of the assessed compounds, accuracy and precision. These two parameters were validated by the low relative standard deviation obtained for repeatability and reproducibility, the low limits of detection and quantification respectively ranged between 0.01 and 153.2 ng. sampler−1 and 0.03 and 459.2 ng. sampler−1 as well as the high recoveries ranged between 76% and 99% for all assessed compounds.