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Synthesized carbon nanodots for simultaneous extraction of personal care products and organophosphorus pesticides in wastewater samples prior to LC-MS/MS determination

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Abstract

A simple, rapid and efficient solid-phase extraction method based on synthesized carbon nanodots was developed for the preconcentration and extraction of personal care products and organophosphorus pesticides in environmental matrices. Factorial (screening) and central composite designs were employed for the optimization of experimental conditions that could potentially influence the percentage recoveries of the target analytes. The experimental variables, including sample pH, mass of adsorbent, eluent volume and sample volume, were examined. Under the optimized conditions, the developed method was validated, and acceptable analytical results obtained showed good performance. The method accuracy carried out at two spiking levels (10 and 100 μg L−1) in different sample matrices ranged between 63 and 120%. The method precision based on relative standard deviation (% RSD) was < 10%. The linear range studied had a determination coefficient of (R2 > 0.995). The limits of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) established varied between 0.015–0.125 and 0.05–0.415 μg L−1 ,respectively. The ensuing method was applied successfully in the determination of the five multi-class organic compounds under study, in influent and effluent wastewater matrices, sampled from a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Pretoria, South Africa.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the University of Johannesburg and Water Research Commission (WRC) Project No. K5/2563 for funding this work. The authors also acknowledge NRF incentive grant for rated researchers awarded to J.C. Ngila used as partial running cost. Professor Patrick Njobeh from Food and Biotechnology Department, University of Johannesburg, and Dr. Riaan Meyer and Mr. Darryl Harris from Shimadzu South Africa are highly thanked for their technical assistance.

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  1. Faculty of Science, Chemical Sciences Department, University of Johannesburg, P. O Box 17011, Doornfontein, 2028, South Africa

    Vallerie A. Muckoya, Azeez O. Idris, Philiswa N. Nomngongo & Jane C. Ngila

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  1. Vallerie A. Muckoya
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Muckoya, V.A., Idris, A.O., Nomngongo, P.N. et al. Synthesized carbon nanodots for simultaneous extraction of personal care products and organophosphorus pesticides in wastewater samples prior to LC-MS/MS determination. Anal Bioanal Chem 411, 6173–6187 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-019-02009-4

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