Purge-assisted and temperature-controlled headspace solid-phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry for determination of six common phthalate esters in aqueous samples

This study describes a novel procedure, namely, purge-assisted and temperature-controlled headspace solid phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, which is used to determine six phthalate esters in aqueous samples. The optimum conditions for obtaining extraction efficiency, such as the extraction fiber type, extraction temperature, nitrogen gas purging flow rate, addition of salts, extraction time, headspace condenser cooling temperature, sample stirring rate, and fiber position parameters were investigated by using single-factor experiment (one-factor-at-a-time) and orthogonal experimental design (OED) methods. Under the optimal conditions, the linear range of detection of the proposed method was 0.2–50 ng/mL with coefficients of determination between 0.992 and 0.995. Limits of detection for six phthalate esters were 0.04–0.18 ng/mL. The application of the proposed method for the determination of trace phthalate esters in real samples was investigated by analyzing bottled water sample and brewed hot coffee successfully.