Development of a carbon fiber-based microextraction sample preparation patch for the detection of 21 organochlorine pesticides from water

Abstract

Abstract The widespread use of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in agricultural practices has led to its accumulation in water bodies, causing significant environmental and health risks due to its persistence and toxicity. To enable effective monitoring, carbon fiber-based thin-film solid-phase microextraction (TF-SPME) patch were developed using a uniform divinylbenzene (DVB) coating applied exploiting an automatic film applicator. These patch were tailored for the extraction and quantification of 21 OCPs from water matrices. Extraction parameters such as extraction time, temperature variation study, desorption time and solvent profile were optimized using water samples spiked with a standard mixture of the 21 OCPs across a concentration range of 100–900 ng/mL. The DVB-coated carbon fiber TF-SPME patch exhibited excellent extraction efficiency, achieving limits of detection ~ 0.3–1.5 ng/mL when analyzed with a triple quadrupole gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC–MS/MS). Calibration curves with regression equations were established for each pesticide to support rapid and reliable quantification. The method aligns with green analytical chemistry principles due to its minimal solvent consumption, low waste production, and energy-efficient operation. Greenness assessment tools such as AGREE, GAPI, and BAGI confirmed the method’s environmental compatibility and user safety. This DVB-coated carbon fiber TF-SPME platform presents a sensitive, robust, and eco-friendly approach for the routine monitoring of organochlorine pesticides in water resources, crucial for protecting ecological balance and public health.