In DLLME, selecting the optimal extracting solvent is critical for increasing the extraction efficiency. Even tiny changes in the solvent’s chemical structure could have an impact on the extraction process. Several conditions must be met by the extracting solvent. To begin with, it must be immiscible with water in order to enable phase separation and analyte partitioning. It should also have a high partition coefficient to guarantee preferential dispersion in the organic droplet. When the disperser is added, it should likewise be dispersible. This step creates a cloudy solution, which significantly increases the contact surface between the aqueous solution and the organic extracting solvent. As a result, some common organic solvents, such as n-hexadecane, can be avoided since it is immiscible with common dispersive solvents. Furthermore, it must have a lower density than water to be able to float on the surface, facilitating the separation of the solidified droplet. As a result, halogenated hydrocarbons including carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, and methylene chloride are incompatible with DLLME-SFOD. Moreover, it should have low volatility in order to reduce solvent loss due to evaporation. The quantity of the organic solvent must be kept consistent, or the balance will be disrupted. To achieve preferential dispersion in the organic droplet, it should also have a high partition coefficient. Most crucially, it must have a melting point that is lower than room temperature (between 0–20 °C), allowing the freezing phase to be accomplished with a simple ice bath or through refrigerator and allowing the frozen droplet to melt at ambient temperature following separation from the extraction medium. Most low-density organic solvents utilized in LLE, such as toluene, benzene, and amyl acetate, do not meet this criterion. The solvent should be compatible with instrumental procedures. DLLME-SFOD is only a sample preparation step, and the preconcentrated analytes are further examined using an appropriate instrument. If the solvent is incompatible with the analytical procedure, then it must first be evaporated, which may limit solvent selection. In such case, the additional evaporation step will be labor and time intensive, complicating the extraction operations. Finally, it should be inexpensive and widely available for the procedure to be cost effective. High number of DESs have been found to meet all of those requirements and were hence applied as extracting solvents in DLLME-SFOD for different analytes from various samples.
The volume of the extracting solvent must also be optimized. An increase in the volume of the extracting solvent corresponds to an increase in the amount of extracted analytes, which, in turn, increases the % recovery
[36]. This increase in % recovery, however, is deceptive since the enrichment factor (EF) will drop. The drop in EF with increasing volume of the extracting solvent is due to the dilution effect, independent of the amount of analyte that is extracted. It is worth noting that in traditional extraction, the % recovery is an essential metric because the main goal is to extract as much analyte as feasible. The extracting solvent is then evaporated, and the residue is reconstituted in an appropriate amount to form a solution with a high analyte concentration. The volume of the extracting solvent is unimportant in this case. However, the EF is more significant in DLLME-SFOD since the extracted analyte is frequently introduced into the extracting solvent without evaporation. As a result, lower amounts of the extracting solvent are preferred in DLLME-SFOD.
3.2.1. DES for Extracting Organic Analytes from Different Matrices
The analyte separation efficiency using DES-based DLLME-SFOD prior to instrument detection is dependent on some factors. One important factor is the viscosity of the DES. The higher the viscosity of the DES, the longer the emulsification time, which extends the duration of contact between the DES aggregates and the analytes before phase separation. Thus, DESs with a low viscosity are preferred. However, DES viscosity can also be affected by the branched chain structure and then extraction temperature.
Yang et al. found that a change in the molar ratio of HBD: HBA greatly affects the DES viscosity
[38]. DES ([N8,8,8,1]Cl: 1-dodecanol, 1:1) was used as the extracting solvent for the preconcentration of benzoylureas from water samples prior to HPLC analysis. Good recoveries in the range of 82–93% with high precision (%RSD < 5%) and high EFs for the analytes (91–97) were achieved
[38]. Furthermore, the viscosity of the DESs decreased as the quaternary ammonium chain decreased. Zeng et al. found that changing the quaternary salt in the DES to [OMIM]Cl, could decrease the DES viscosity, which, in turn, affected the extraction efficiency
[39]. The used DES consists of [OMIM]Cl and 1-dodecanol. The analyte recoveries were comparable to those of the previously reported method. However, this method showed higher EFs (171–188)
[39].
The extraction efficiency relies heavily on whether there are favorable interactions, such as hydrogen bonding and
p–p, between the DESs and the analytes. In this sense, the physicochemical properties of the DESs and the analytes are the key factors that dramatically affect the extraction performance. However, the physicochemical properties of DESs are strongly related to the chemical structure and molar ratio of HBA and HBD in DESs. Specifically, the DES polarity has the most significant influence on the solubility between DESs and analytes and is based on the “like dissolves like” principle. The commonly used DESs in DLLME-SFOD are hydrophobic solvents. The formation of hydrogen bonds and/or
p–p interaction between the hydrophobic DESs (HDESs) and the analytes results in a large decrease in the analyte concentration in the aqueous phase, thereby achieving its separation from water. A HDES (TBACl: decanoic acid) has been used as an extracting solvent in DLLME-SFOD for the simultaneous preconcentration of active curcuminoids in
Curcumae Longae Rhizoma and in turmeric tea
[40]. The method was able to attain EFs that were in the range from 608 to 848 with satisfactory accuracy (84–116%) and precision (%RSD < 4). DESs consisting of TBABr and carboxylic acids were also used for PAH extraction preceding HPLC-FLD analysis
[41]. The method exhibited acceptable recoveries of 83–117% and also demonstrated high precision (%RSD < 10%). HDESs were also reported in the DLLME-SFOD for the extraction of aromatic amines
[42] and OPFRs
[16] from aqueous samples.
On the other hand, the DES viscosity decreases as the temperature increases, which could be demonstrated as Arrhenius-like behavior. Therefore, some DLLME-SFOD were carried out by heating the samples only mildly when viscous DESs were used as the extractant. Amoxicillin and ceftriaxone were found to be present in hospital sewage
[43] with the aid of heating at 55 °C in a water bath.
The in situ preparation of DESs has also been reported and aims to reduce the time that is needed for the sample preparation step, thus meeting another green analytical chemistry (GAC) principle. The DES (choline chloride and decanoic acid) was able to be prepared in situ in a milk sample and was able to be simultaneously used to extract pesticides along with the precipitation of milk proteins
[44]. Choline chloride was also used with
n-butyric acid for the in situ formation of DES in edible oil to determine the phytosterol content. The method exhibited high EFs (312–375) with a %RSD < 8%
[45].
To reduce the consumption of too many reagents during DES preparation, Shishov et al. and his group reported a novel method based on the in situ formation of DESs through the reaction of the targeted analytes (as HBD) with menthol (as HBA). Mixing the aqueous sample phase (spiked with the targeted NSAIDs) with molten menthol resulted in DES formation and analyte extraction followed by organic phase (extract) separation based on its solidification
[46]. The solidified organic phase was then allowed to melt before analysis by means of UPLC-MS/MS.
The DESs that consisted of either quaternary ammonium or phosphonium salts (as HBA) with straight-chain monobasic acids or alcohols (as HBD) were found to be useful in applications determining aromatic amines from water
[47], antibiotic residue from sausage
[48], pesticides from tomato juice
[49], antibiotic residues from hamburger and cow liver
[50], and organophosphorus pesticides from edible oil
[51]. However, most of those quaternary salts still demonstrate a small amount of toxicity. Therefore, researchers have focused their attention on finding greener alternatives to those HBAs. Terpenes have been used in DES preparation to either replace the quaternary salts (HBA) or to combine them with each other (act as both HBA and HBD). The first terpene that was used was menthol. Mohebbi et al.
[52] reported the use of menthol in combination with decanoic acid at a molar ratio 1:2 for the preparation of NADES. The efficiency of the prepared DES was evaluated for extracting antidepressants prior to GC-MS analysis with EFs, and extraction recoveries of 122–147 and 74–89% were obtained, respectively. On the other hand, changing the molar ratio of HBA: HBD could affect the physical characteristics of the prepared DES and could thus affect the extraction efficiency. Menthol was also combined with decanoic acid, but a molar ratio of 1:1 instead. The prepared DES was used to extract fungicides from fruit juice and tea drinks with the help of ultrasonication for 9 min to disperse the DES and to enhance the extraction efficiency
[53]. In the same way, menthol was then combined with phenylacetic acid, and the formed DES was used for the DLLME-SFOD of pesticides found in farmer urine and plasma
[54] or saliva and exhaled breath condensate samples
[55] prior to GC-MS analysis. EFs ranging from 379 to 485 were obtained in urine and from 158–194 in plasma.
Not only the molar ratio but also the type of HBD has a significant effect on the prepared DES and thus on the extraction efficiency. Acids could be also replaced by long chain alcohol (HBA), which was the case for the DES that was prepared by Liu et al. (menthol: undecanol). It was used to extract bisphenols from canned fruit prior to UPLC-MS/MS
[56]. Acceptable recoveries ranged from 79–101%, with %RSD < 5% being achieved. Rather than the HBD, the HBA could also be changed. A DES consisting of thymol and octanoic acid was used for the preconcentration of strobilurin fungicides in water, juice, wine, and vinegar samples by HPLC
[57], and high extraction recovery was observed (77–107%). Other NADESs were applied for the extraction of different analytes, including patulin in fruit juice and dried fruit samples using the spectrophotometric method
[58]; phthalic acid esters from common infusions and soft drinks
[59]; endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) in injection solutions and sewage
[60]; pyrethroids in cereal samples
[61]; bisphenols and PAHs from tea infusions
[62]; and benzophenone-UV filters (BP-UV filters) from water samples
[63].
Furthermore, the extracting DES in DLLME-SFOD should be stable when it is in contact with water. Surface tension determines the suitability of DESs in interfacial processes in which mass transfer occurs. Higher surface tension values facilitate higher extraction efficiencies being obtained. The interactions between HBA and HBD have a profound effect on the surface tension of DESs. The higher interactions between HBA and HBD provide higher DES surface tension and vice versa. However, DES instability was utilized by Aynaz et al. for the extraction of five pyrethroid insecticides from milk samples prior to their analysis by using GC-FID
[64]. He found that the DES (menthol:
p-aminophenol) decomposed to its components during the dispersion (contact with water) and that menthol formed throughout the solution as tiny droplets. The released menthol acted as a extracting solvent and was able to efficiently enrich the target analytes with good recoveries rates (72–84%), high EFs (257–299), and acceptable repeatability (%RSD ≤ 6.4%).
Table 2 summarizes the application of DES in DLLME-SFOD for extracting the organic analytes.
Table 2. Application of deep eutectic solvents as an extracting solvent in DLLME-SFOD for organic analytes.
3.2.2. DES for Extracting Inorganic Analytes from Various Matrices
DESs have been found to be suitable for applications for the preconcentration of inorganic analytes using DLLME-SFOD. However, they have fewer applications than those for organic chemicals.
Lead is the only metal from column 14 in the Periodic Table of Elements that has been studied
[17][72][73]. Arsenic and selenium are metalloids that have been extracted using DLLME-SFOD
[74][75][76][77]. In regard to the transition metals, zinc
[78], cobalt
[53], copper
[17][72], mercury
[72][73][75], nickel
[53], cadmium
[17][72][73][78], and chromium
[79] have all been quantified using DES in DLLME-SFOD. Most of the reported methods have been established to determine the total metal concentration; however, only a handful of them involve speciation investigations
[54][55][56]. Subsequently, the speciation of arsenic and selenium has been accomplished by subjecting the sample to chemical processes to modify the analyte’s oxidation state
[75]. A neutral form is necessary for the extraction of inorganic ions into an extractant DES. As a result, almost all of the DLLME-SFOD applications for metals rely on the creation of hydrophobic chelates. Several applications deal with the identification of inorganic substances in various oxidation states. When a complexing agent reacts with just one form of an inorganic analyte, this may be used for speciation, and the microextraction must be performed in two sample solutions where the metal ion has distinct oxidation states. As a result, oxidation or reduction procedures must be incorporated into the sample pre-treatment. As a result of this, a potassium iodide and sodium thiosulfate mixture was used to reduce As (V)
[75], hydrochloric acid was used to reduce Se (VI) to Se (IV)
[76][77], and ultraviolet (UV) light and microwaves were used to rapidly convert R-Hg to Hg
2+ [76]. The total concentration of the analyte was then determined from the treated sample aliquot, and the difference regarding the non-treated aliquot was used to determine speciation.
Firstly, Reza et al. reported a green simple HDES (choline chloride: decanoic acid, 1:2) for the extraction of arsenic, selenium, and mercury from real blood samples
[75]. The targeted ions were first complexed with diethyldithiophosphoric acid (DDTP) before being extracted into the DES prior to their determination by iridium-modified tube electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). Furthermore, Mostafavi et al. also reported another DES (benzyltriphenylphosphonium bromide (BTPPB) and 1-undecanol) for the extraction of selenium from aqueous samples prior to UV–Vis spectrophotometric analysis
[77]. Selenium was complexed with diaminobenzidine hydrochloride (DAB) before being extracted to the DES. The centrifugation step (for phase separation) was eliminated by applying the salting-out effect using NaCl. The method exhibited satisfactory recovery (95–105%).
The electrostatic interactions between heavy metals and quaternary ammonium ions in DESs are very important factors for enriching heavy metal ions from the aqueous sample to the DES phase. The hydrated heavy metal anions can substitute halides in DESs, which results in the formation of a new hydrogen bond between hydrolyzed heavy metal anions and quaternary ammonium ions and the strength of this hydrogen bond being enhanced. DES-DLLME-SFOD was applied for the extraction of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Hg) from soil and vegetables that had been irrigated with treated municipal wastewater
[73]. The heavy metals were first chelated with DDTP before being extracted to the DES (imidazolium chloride ionic liquids and 1-undecanol) prior to their analysis by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). High EFs (up to 1142) were achieved. DES-DLLME-SFOD was also applied for the extraction of Pb, Cd, Cu, As, and Hg from tea
[74], Cr (VI) from urine samples
[79], and nickel and cobalt from food and water
[53]. The results are summarized in
Table 3.
Table 3. Application of deep eutectic solvents as an extracting solvent in DLLME-SFOD for inorganic analytes.