Determination of cadmium at trace levels in parsley samples by slotted quartz tube-flame atomic absorption spectrometry after preconcentration with cloud point extraction

Abstract In this study, a cloud point extraction (CPE) method for the extraction and preconcentration of cadmium was developed with its determination by slotted quartz tube-flame atomic absorption spectrometry (SQT-FAAS). Method developed is based on the reaction of cadmium with diphenylcarbazone to form a coordinated hydrophobic ion-associated complex, and subsequent extraction into the surfactant-rich phase of extraction solvent. The main factors affecting the analyte recovery such as volume of surfactant and concentration, equilibrium temperature, eluent type and volume were investigated to obtain optimum extraction conditions. Under the optimum conditions, detection and quantification limits were found to be 0.70 and 2.3 ng mL− 1, respectively. About 60 folds enhancement in detection power for the analyte was recorded over the FAAS instrument. The accuracy and applicability of the method was performed by spiking parsley samples at different concentrations, and the %recovery results were found to be between 93-105%.