SEPARATION/ENRICHMENT OF TRACE SULFAMETHOXAZOLE USING 1-HEXYL-3-METHYLIMIDAZOLIUM BROMIDE/TRI-POTASSIUM CITRATE AQUEOUS TWO-PHASE SOLVENT SUBLATION COUPLED WITH HPLC IN ENVIRONMENTAL WATER SAMPLES.

An ionic liquid aqueous two-phase solvent subla-tion (IL-ATSS) of l-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium Bromide ([C₆min]Br)/Tri-potassium Citrate (K₃C₆H₅O₇) coupled with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed for the separation and determination of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) in water samples. The optimal conditions were investigated and discussed. The real water samples containing SMX were analyzed, and the results were satisfying. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.8 ng mL^-1, and the limit of quantification (LOQ) was 2.7 ng mL^-1. In addition, the enrichment factor (22.7) of IL-ATSS is higher than ionic liquids aqueous two-phase extraction (9.6). This novel process is suited to separation and enrichment a massive dose and low content of substances in the environ-ment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]