Miniaturisated method for the analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in leaf samples.

A new methodology is proposed for monitoring 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, using tree leaves as passive samplers, by means of a mini-ultrasonic probe coupled with reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RP-LC) and fluorescence (FL) detection. Separation and detection of the 16 PAHs were completed in 19 min, using a 3 microm (particle size) C(18) column RP-LC with acetonitrile-water gradient elution. The ultrasonic probe device used was equipped with a 2 mm titanium tip, and sample and solvent amounts used were just 50 mg and 1 mL, respectively.