Optimization and validation of an analytical method for the determination of oils and grease in wastewater samples by infrared spectroscopy

Identifier:  TFG:5745

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TFG5745

Authors:  Anglès Munuera, Paula

Abstract:
A bad recycling of the vegetable oils produced in the kitchen, catering, restaurants, etc. can cause a great pollution of natural areas, such as rivers, lakes, seas, etc. This pollution can derivate into problems in sanitation systems and wastewater treatment plants. For this reason, an attempt has been made to develop an analytical method for the determination of oils and grease present in these types of waters. The quantification of these substances has been done by means of FT-IR infrared spectroscopy (Nicolet iS5, ThermoFisher Scientific). After optimizing the method, which involves a liquid-liquid extraction, and carrying out a validation process for reproducibility, the results obtained were that the method could not be validated. The main reason for these results is the matrix effect of the wastewater samples used, as their composition differs from one sample to another, and not reproducible results can be obtained.