Cloud-point extraction and capillary electrochromatography: An approach for the analysis of selected environmental toxicants in spiked human serum

The use of cloud-point extraction (CPE) coupled with capillary electrochrom atography (CEC) as an approach for the analysis of environmental toxicants in human serum was explored. Human serum samples spiked with polycyclic aro matic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, or phthalates were e xtracted using Genapol X-080 and 25% NaCl at 46 degrees C for 5 min. The su rfactant-rich phase was treated with acetonitrile to remove some of the int erfering coextractants and then analyzed by CEC. The analytes within these three groups were well separated via this technique even though the presenc e of the residual coextractants/surfactant shifted the migration time sligh tly. The use of CPE-CEC proved to be a viable approach for environmental to xicant analysis. In addition, both CPE and CEC require relatively small amo unts of organic solvents compared with conventional sample preparation tech niques, and thus are more environmentally friendly. (C) 1999 John Wiley & S ons, Inc.