Solid-phase microextraction technique for sampling and preconcentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: A review

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), as an important class of pollutants, are persistent in the environment and have adverse effects on human health, including carcinogenicity and mutagenicity. Thus, the sampling and quantification of PAHs in environmental samples has attracted a worldwide attention. Sample preparation is a main step in the analysis of target analytes from different matrices. The conventional analytical separation methods used for the analysis of PAHs are usually time-consuming, low sensitivity, consume large amounts of hazardous organic solvent, and are prone to lose analytes. Therefore, more efficient and green analytical strategies are required to determine low levels of PAHs in complex matrices. In recent decades, solid-phase microextraction (SPME), as a single-step, solvent-less and green sample pretreatment approach, has been extensively used for the sampling of PAHs. Herein, we reported, evaluated, and compared the SPME procedures that have been utilized for the analysis of PAHs in water, biological, food, and solid samples during the last five years (from 2015 to the present time). The distinctive properties and principles of the SPME technique were presented, and the potential future trend for the use of this technique discussed.