In this review, the ever-increasing use of deep eutectic solvents (DES) in microextraction techniques will be discussed, focusing on the reasons needed to replace conventional extraction techniques with greener approaches that follow the principles of green analytical chemistry. The properties of DES will be discussed, pinpointing their exceptional performance and analytical parameters, justifying their current extensive scientific interest. Finally, a variety of applications for commonly used microextraction techniques will be reported.
1 February 2020 in The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
As population growth and climate change add to the problem of water scarcity in many regions, the argument for using treated wastewater for irrigation is becoming increasingly compelling, which makes understanding the risks associated with the uptake of harmful chemicals by crops crucial. In this study, the uptake of 14 chemicals of emerging concern (CECs) and 27 potentially toxic elements (PTEs) was studied in tomatoes grown in soil-less (hydroponically) and soil (lysimeters) media irrigated with potable and treated wastewater using LC-MS/MS and ICP-MS. Bisphenol S, 2,4 bisphenol F, and naproxen were detected in fruits irrigated with spiked potable water and wastewater under both conditions, with BPS having the highest concentration (0.034-0.134 µg kg-1 f. w.). The levels of all three compounds were statistically more significant in tomatoes grown hydroponically (<LOQ - 0.137 µg kg-1 f. w.) than in soil (<LOQ - 0.083 µg kg-1 f. w.). Their elemental composition shows differences between tomatoes grown hydroponically or in soil and tomatoes irrigated with wastewater and potable water. Contaminants at determined levels showed low dietary chronic exposure. When the health-based guidance values for the studied CECs are determined, results from this study will be helpful for risk assessors.
Reusing treated wastewater (TWW) for agricultural irrigation offers a sustainable option to reduce water scarcity; however, it also raises concerns about potential contamination of the food chain. This study evaluated the uptake and translocation of 27 contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in tomatoes grown under field conditions. The experiment consisted of four drip irrigation regimes: (1) potable water (PW), (2) TWW, (3) PW with addition of CECs (1 mg/L), and (4) TWW with addition of CECs (1 mg/L). Results show that CECs were less stable in TWW than in PW, influencing their uptake. Tomato fruits also showed minimal bioaccumulation under non-spiked conditions, with only carbamazepine above LOQ when irrigated with TWW (22 ng/g). In spiked media, acetamiprid, azithromycin, bisphenol S, carbamazepine, clarithromycin, and dimethomorph were above LOQ in tomato fruits, while up to 17 CECs were quantified in roots > leaves > stems. Fruit yield also remained unaffected. Dietary exposure estimates were below the risk threshold for tomatoes irrigated with TWW. Soil analysis revealed CECs (azithromycin, triclocarban) exceeding safety thresholds up to 30 months after irrigation. In summary, while targeted CECs in tomato fruits pose no immediate health risk, their accumulation in soil highlights the need for long-term monitoring.