CONICET | Buscador de Institutos y Recursos Humanos

Photoluminescent methodologies are a group of powerful analytical tools used for trace analytes determination due totheir inherent sensitivity. However, when real samples are analyzed, many times troubles arise due to the matrixcomplexity. In order to overcome these difficulties, different strategies must be applied. The need for more selectivesystems of separation metals ions has produced important developments of chemical separation techniques. Cloud PointExtraction (CPE) processes have been reported for extraction of metal ions, biological and clinical species andenvironmental clean-up methods. Any species associated to micellar aggregates can be extracted from the initial solutionand preconcentrated in a small volume of the surfactant-rich phase prior to instrumental determination, improvingselectivity and sensitivity. Likewise, Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) has come to the forefront compared to otherpreconcentration and/or separation techniques. Both of these strategies offer several advantages such as operationalflexibility, high enrichment factors, low cost and simplicity, reducing consumption and exposure to toxic solvents,representing environmentally friendly alternatives.Cigarettes are probably the single most significant source of toxic chemical exposure and chemically mediated illness inhumans. Tobacco plants contain several toxic metals, which are most probably absorbed from the soil, fertilizingproducts or pesticides. Because of the low concentration level of metals in smokers? biological fluids and tobaccoproducts, a preconcentration step prior to instrumental detection is necessary.In this speech, results obtained of developed photolumininescent methodologies will be presented; CPE and/or SPE stepswere used for metals separation. Analyzed biological samples included urine and saliva from smokers, passive smokersand non-smokers subjects, and tobacco products used to conventional and electronic cigarettes