Evaluation of greenness, blueness, and whiteness with analytical quality by design assisted instrumental reversed-phase thin-layer chromatography‒densitometric approach to estimate monosodium glutamate in commercial food samples using green-ultrasound-assisted extraction technique

Abstract

Analytical approaches that adhere to the principles of white and green chemistry are necessary to address concerns related to the environment, economy, and practicality. An analytical quality by design (AQbD)-aided ecofriendly reversed-phase thin-layer chromatography (RP-TLC) approach was utilized to quantify the flavor enhancer monosodium glutamate (E-621) in various food samples, followed by ultrasound-assisted extraction. RP-TLC layers precoated with RP-18 modified silica gel 60 F_254s were utilized as the stationary phase with green mobile phases consisting of ethanol‒water‒isopropanol (5:2.5:2.5, V/V), with densitometric detection at 570 nm with an R_F value of 0.57. Monosodium glutamate (MSG) shows linearity in 500–1500 ng/spot range. RP-TLC separation was optimized, and the most influential and interacting parameters were identified using central composite design. Validation study was performed as per the International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) recommendations, which demonstrates all the parameters are within acceptable limits. MSG shows recovery of 93.12–101.42% among various food samples. The greenness of the created method was evaluated using the green analytical procedure index (GAPI) and analytical greenness (AGREE). We utilized the blue applicability grade index (BAGI) and red–green–blue 12 (RGB12) algorithms to evaluate the concepts of blueness and whiteness. The BAGI score 80 suggested a high level of application, while the RGB12 score 85.1 proved that the approach is both cost effective and sustainable. This revolutionary RP-TLC method provides a fast and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional procedures used to analyze MSG in foods, which might help pharmaceutical industries to adopt and improve robust, environmentally friendly AQbD techniques for routine MSG assay using green solvents.