Optimization of Solid-Phase Microextraction for the Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Persistent Organic Pollutants

In this work, solid-phase microextraction (SPME) has been applied as an alternative for the selective extraction of 3 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), 2,2′,4,4′-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (PBDE-47); 2,2′,4,4′,5-pentabromodiphenyl ether (PBDE-99); and 2,2′,4,4′,6-pentabromodiphenyl ether (PBDE-100), and 2 alkylphenols, 4-tert-OP and 4-NP, prior to their analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The advantages of this technique are mainly its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and time-saving sample preparation, as well as being a solvent-free technique. With the aim of optimizing the conditions for an efficient extraction of the studied compounds, different fiber coatings and the main parameters affecting the extraction procedure have been evaluated. The results obtained showed a good linearity in the range of concentrations investigated, and adequate relative standard deviation values were found according to the range accepted for SPME. Recovery values were in the range of 78–108%, and good detection and quantitation limits at ppt levels were obtained for both methods, allowing the determination of the selected compounds in samples at trace levels. The results obtained clearly show the potential of SPME for efficient concentration of the target compounds and also demonstrate the reliability of this extraction technique for their GC/MS analysis.