Ultrasound-assisted low-density solvent dispersive liquid-liquid extraction for the determination of alkanolamines and alkylamines in cosmetics with ion chromatography

A new one-step sample preparation technique termed ultrasound-assisted low-density solvent dispersive liquid-liquid extraction (UA-LDS-DLLE) coupled with ion chromatography (IC) was developed for the determination of three alkanolamines and two alkylamines in complex samples. Sample matrices were rapidly dissolved and dispersed to form cloudy solutions by using two solvents, where target analytes were transferred into acid solutions, while liposoluble substances were dissolved in cyclohexane. The obtained extracts could be used directly for injection analysis without any additional purification because the potential matrix interferences had been effectively eliminated in extraction process. The extraction efficiency could be markedly enhanced and the extraction could be quickly accomplished within 13 min under the synergistic effects of ultrasound radiation, vibration and heating. Various parameters influencing extraction efficiency were evaluated using orthogonal array experimental design. The extraction performance of the approach was demonstrated for the determination of target analytes in 15 commercial cosmetics covering very different matrices. Linearity ranges of 0.3-50 mg L−1 and limits of detection varying from 0.072 to 0.12 mg L−1 were achieved. The recoveries ranged from 86.9-108.5% with the relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 1.2-6.2%. The method was proved to be a simple and effective extraction technique that provided an attractive alternative to the analysis of trace amounts of target analytes in large numbers of cosmetics.