Iron Oxide Aminated Gaur Gum Nanocomposite as an Efficient Solid‐Phase Extractant for Phthalate Plasticizer in Bottled Water and Beverages

ABSTRACT

This study describes the synthesis of iron oxide–aminated guar gum (Fe ₂ O ₃ –AGG) nanoparticles and their evaluation as an efficient solid‐phase extraction material for the selective extraction of six phthalates from drinking water and beverage samples. Iron oxide nanoparticles were initially synthesized using a simple and cost‐effective co‐precipitation method. Subsequently, guar gum was chemically functionalized via ethylenediamine‐mediated amination, followed by incorporation of iron oxide nanoparticles to obtain a magnetically separable aminated guar gum–based nanocomposite adsorbent. The synthesized magnetic nanocomposites were characterized using various analytical techniques. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed successful surface modification and the presence of functional groups responsible for selective interaction with target analytes. Quantitative determination of phthalates was carried out using gas chromatography equipped with a flame ionization detector. Key experimental parameters such as pH, extraction time, adsorbent dosage, analyte concentration, and desorption solvent were systematically optimized, revealing a significant influence on extraction performance. Under optimized conditions, the method exhibited excellent linearity ( R ² > 0.99) over a concentration range of 0.10–100 µg/L, with satisfactory intra‐day and inter‐day precision (RSD < 2.5%). The limits of detection ranged from 0.012 to 0.033 µg/L. The developed method demonstrated high extraction recoveries (97%–99%) for all analyzed beverage samples. These results confirm that the synthesized Fe ₂ O ₃ –AGG nanocomposite is a highly efficient and selective adsorbent for phthalate removal from water and beverages.