Solid phase extraction of lead, cadmium and zinc on biodegradable polyhydroxybutyrate diethanol amine (PHB-DEA) polymer and their determination in water and food samples

A new biodegradable polyhydroxybutyrate diethanol amine (PHB-DEA) polymer was used as adsorbent for the sensitive and selective separation, preconcentration and determination of Pb(II), Cd(II) and Zn(II) by using atomic absorption spectrometry. Diethyl dithiocarbamate was used as chelating reagent. Analytical parameters such as pH, eluent type and its volume, flow rates of sample solution, ligand amount, sample volume were optimized. Effects of some cations, anions and transition metal ions were also investigated. Enrichment factor and relative standard deviation were found to be 100 and 3%, respectively. The limits of detection based on three times standard deviation of blanks (N = 21) were found 1.05 μg L−1 for Pb(II), 0.42 μg L−1 for Cd(II) and 0.13 μg L−1 for Zn(II). Limits of quantification (10 s, N = 21) were found 3.47 μg L−1 for Pb(II), 1.39 μg L−1 for Cd(II) and 0.43 μg L−1 for Zn(II). Accuracy evaluation of the method was confirmed with analyses of certified reference materials (NIST SRM 1515 Apple leaves, IAEA 336 Lichen, GBW 07605 Tea). Optimized method was applied to tap water and food samples after microwave digestion method. Cadmium and lead values in some samples were found higher than legal limits.