Polarity-Optimized Ternary Solvent Extraction Method for Comprehensive Recovery of Additives From Polymeric Tubing for Gc-MS Analysis

The exhaustive characterization of extractable and leachable constituents from polymeric medical and industrial tubing remains a formidable analytical challenge because additives embedded within polymer matrices exhibit a broad spectrum of physicochemical properties. Conventional binary extraction systems, particularly dichloromethane (DCM): hexane mixtures, frequently demonstrate inadequate recovery of highly polar, semi polar and strongly matrix bound compounds. This study proposes a polarity-optimized ternary solvent extraction strategy comprising hexane, DCM and ethanol for the comprehensive liberation of additives from polymeric tubing prior to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The conceptual framework is founded on solvent-selectivity principles and ternary mixture design, whereby non polar hexane promotes polymer swelling and enhances diffusional transport, DCM solubilizes semi polar additives, and ethanol disrupts intermolecular interactions governing the retention of polar constituents. The synergistic interplay among these solvents generates an expensive extraction domain capable of recovering lipophilic plasticizers, antioxidants, stabilizers, oligomer residues, and degradation products. By traversing a wider polarity continuum than binary systems, the ternary approach is anticipated to improve analyte desorption kinetics, increase chemical coverage and enhance analytical sensitivity. The methodology offers substantial utility for extractable and leachable (E&L) investigations, pharmaceutical packaging assessment, regulatory compliance studies and forensic polymer characterization. The proposed extraction paradigm represents a scientifically rational advancement toward more comprehensive polymer additives profiling and robust GC-MS based quality assurance.