Single drop microextraction of esters : comparison of headspace and direct extractions

The applicability of headspace and direct microextractions to a single drop, in order to determine several esters, has been studied. A drop of p-cymene containing n-nonane as an internal standard was used for extraction. The analytes were extracted to the drop positioned at the tip of a microsyringe fixed directly above the extraction vial, so that the needle passed the septum and the needle tip appeared above (headspace microextraction) or below (direct microextraction) the surface of the solution. After the extraction was finished, the drop was retracted back into the needle and injected directly into the GC system. Experimental conditions, including sampling time, sampling temperature, stirring rate and ionic strength of the solution were optimised in respect to the extraction efficiency. The proposed method was applied to the analysis of white wine.