Multiple headspace single-drop micro-extraction for quantitative determination of lactide in thermally-oxidized polylactide

Single-drop micro-extraction (SDME), an emerging micro-extraction technique, was combined with multiple headspace (MHS) extraction to allow quantitative determination of lactide in thermally-oxidized polylactide. Different solvents, drop sizes and extraction times were tested to obtain best extraction efficiency and the method was further developed to obtain a linear regression plot for the multiple extractions. The combination of SDME and MHS extraction offered several advantages over traditional liquid-solid and headspace extraction techniques. No concentration step was needed and loss of volatiles was prevented as the ageing and extraction were performed in a closed system. Matrix effects, that disturb the quantitation of analytes in solid samples, were removed by the multiple headspace extraction.