Microextraction Techniques Using Deep Eutectic Solvents
Summary
Microextraction techniques employing deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have emerged as a versatile and environmentally benign approach to trace-level separation and preconcentration of analytes from complex matrices. By combining a hydrogen bond acceptor and a hydrogen bond donor in precise ratios, DESs form eutectic mixtures that exhibit low volatility, adjustable polarity and strong solvating power for a wide range of organic and inorganic species. In microextraction, DESs may be deployed in liquid-phase modes—such as dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction or ultrasound-assisted microextraction—or in solid-phase formats after in situ solidification. These methods typically consume microlitre to millilitre volumes of solvent, achieving high enrichment factors, rapid kinetics and minimal waste generation. Applications have spanned environmental water analysis, food and beverage testing, biological fluid cleanup and the preconcentration of pesticides, dyes, phenolic compounds and metal ions. Key advantages include straightforward preparation of the solvent system, compatibility with chromatographic or spectroscopic detection and the capacity to tailor extraction selectivity by modifying DES composition and experimental parameters such as pH, temperature and extraction time. Collectively, DES-based microextraction offers an adaptable platform for green and cost-effective sample preparation, enhancing sensitivity and selectivity in analytical workflows.
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Microextraction Techniques Using Deep Eutectic Solvents publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in microextraction techniques using deep eutectic solvents across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Deep eutectic solvent (DES): A low-melting mixture of hydrogen bond donors and acceptors that forms a eutectic with tunable polarity and high solvation capability.
Ultrasound-assisted liquid-liquid microextraction (UA-LLME): A technique that applies ultrasonic energy to disperse the extraction solvent into fine droplets, enhancing mass transfer and reducing extraction time.
Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction based on solidification of floating organic droplet (DLLME-SFOD): A microextraction variant in which the extraction solvent solidifies upon cooling, facilitating easy separation of the enriched phase.
Enrichment factor: The ratio of analyte concentration in the extract to that in the original sample, indicating the degree of preconcentration achieved.
Limit of detection (LOD): The lowest concentration of an analyte that can be reliably distinguished from background noise under specified conditions.
References
- Natural deep eutectic solvent based ultrasound assisted liquid-liquid micro-extraction method for methyl violet dye determination in contaminated river water. Water Resources and Industry (2023).
- Deep Eutectic Solvents as Promising Green Solvents in Dispersive Liquid–Liquid Microextraction Based on Solidification of Floating Organic Droplet: Recent Applications, Challenges and Future Perspectives. Molecules (2021).
- A review on recent applications of deep eutectic solvents in microextraction techniques for the analysis of biological matrices. Advances in Sample Preparation (2022).
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