Assessment of toxic metal ions in tea samples using new microextraction technique based on the solidified deep eutectic solvent followed by GFAAS

Abstract

In this research, an environmental friendly extraction method based on vortex-assisted liquid-phase microextraction and the solidified deep eutectic solvent (VALPME-SDES) has been developed for the determination of Pb, Cd, Cu, As, and Hg in tea prior to their analysis by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). A new deep eutectic solvent consisting of 1-decyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride and n-butanoic acid was used as an extraction solvent, yielding the advantages of material stability, low density, and a suitable freezing point near room temperature. The accuracy of the proposed procedure was also assessed by determining the concentration of the studied metal ions in a certified reference material for Green Tea (GBW 10052).