A development in greener microextraction methods for analysis of pesticide residues in environmental water samples: A review

Pesticide residues in water are gaining prominence as one of the most serious water quality challenges. Their analysis requires advanced sample preparation and instrumental techniques. However, there is a continuing challenge mainly because of the trace quantities as well as the high amount of interfering substances which can be co-extracted with them, frequently leading to method errors and damages the efficiency of analytical instruments. Thus, the development of greener microextraction techniques for pesticide analysis is very important since it reduces overall sample preparation time, use fewer organic solvents, produce less wastes, has adequate extraction and clean up capacity for the target analytes, and removes interferents from the complex sample that can affect instrumental performance. This paper focuses on reviewing greener microextraction methods used in the analysis of pesticide residues in environmental water samples. The microextraction methods include: liquid phase microextraction (LPME), solid phase microextraction (SPME), dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME), hollow fiber liquid phase microextraction (HF-LPME), stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) and single drop microextraction (SDME). This review paper also presents the development, advantage and disadvantage, green aspects and sample preparation technique of each microextraction methods for analysis of pesticide residues in water matrix. Moreover, the different analytical techniques used for determination of the required analyte from water matrix after extraction steps were also addressed.