Microextraction techniques as versatile platforms for sample preparation of disinfection byproducts from aqueous media: Advances and challenges

Disinfection byproducts are well-known contaminants in water, recognized for their short- and long-term adverse health effects both in humans and animals. Although some of them have been regulated, a significant number remains unregulated despite their high toxicity at very low concentrations. It is of utmost significance to develop efficient analytical methods capable of detecting low levels of disinfection byproducts in aqueous media. Such low levels necessities a sample preparation step before instrumental determination. Microextraction based sample preparation procedures are preferable because of low sample and solvent consumption, simplicity, greenness, and high efficiency. In this review, we offer an in-depth exploration of microextraction techniques, both sorbent-based and solvent-based, employed for the extraction and enrichment of disinfection byproducts from aqueous matrices. We critically analyse the factors that can influence the performance of these techniques, shedding light on their advantages and limitations. In the end, some challenges and their potential solutions are suggested.