Use of natural sorbents as alternative and green extractive materials: A critical review

The increasing concern about environmental degradation and resource depletion has inspired the analytical chemistry community to develop analytical methods that comply as much as possible with the principles of Green Analytical Chemistry. Significant progress has been made in greening sample preparation strategies by miniaturizing sampling devices and decreasing the amount of sorptive phase needed for efficient extraction of targeted molecules. In this context, the use of natural sorbents represents an additional and convenient option for green sample preparation. The advantages of using natural sorbents for extraction include their availability from renewable sources, low toxicity and biodegradability. In this review, we describe the use of various natural sorbents for metals and organic molecules extraction, focusing on the most innovative applications within the decade 2009–2019. Particular emphasis is given to the description of commonly used biopolymers – e.g. cellulose, chitin, and lignin – and their use in a variety of sample preparation strategies. We also refer to different functionalization approaches that enhance the extraction efficiency of natural sorbents.