Application of robust NiTi–ZrO2–PEG SPME fiber in the determination of haloanisoles in cork stopper samples

In this study, a novel solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fiber obtained using sol–gel technology was applied in the determination of off-flavor compounds (2,4,6-trichloroanisole (TCA), 2,4,6-tribromoanisole (TBA) and pentachloroanisole (PCA)) present in cork stopper samples. A NiTi alloy previously electrodeposited with zirconium oxide was used as the substrate for a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) coating. Scanning electronic microscopy showed good uniformity of the coating and allowed the coating thickness to be estimated as around 17 μm. The optimization of the main parameters influencing the extraction efficiency, such as cork sample mass, sodium chloride mass, extraction temperature and extraction time were optimized using a full factorial design, followed by a Doehlert design. The optimum conditions were: 20 min of extraction at 70 °C using 60 mg of the cork sample and 10 mL of water saturated with sodium chloride in a 20 mL amber vial with constant magnetic stirring. Satisfactory detection limits between 2.5 and 5.1 ng g−1 were obtained, as well as good precision (R.S.D. in the range of 5.8–12.0%). Recovery tests were performed on three different cork samples, and values between 83 and 119% were obtained. The proposed SPME fiber was compared with commercially available fibers and good results were achieved, demonstrating its applicability.