A novel cloud point extraction method using a benzimidazole-based ligand for the preconcentration of toxic heavy metals in water and food samples

]imidazole-1-yl)acetohydrazide (FB-BIAH) was employed for the first time as an analytical complexing agent for the aforementioned metal ions, and Triton X-114 (TX-114) was preferred as the nonionic surfactant. Within the scope of optimizing CPE conditions, experimental parameters, such as pH, FB-BIAH and surfactant amounts, and incubation temperature and time, as well as centrifugation speed and duration, were systematically investigated. The optimal conditions for the simultaneous quantitative recovery of analyte ions were established as pH 7.0, an FB-BIAH amount of 2.5 mg, a TX-114 quantity of 25 mg, an incubation temperature of 60 °C, and an incubation time of 30 min. Under optimal conditions, the proposed method was successfully applied to river water and seawater, as well as different vegetable samples such as lettuce, parsley, and pepper. The results obtained demonstrated that the analyte ions could be reliably determined in complex matrices and that the method exhibited high analytical performance. Due to its simplicity, rapid applicability, environmentally friendly nature, and cost-effectiveness, the proposed CPE-FAAS method represents a promising approach for the routine analysis of toxic heavy metals in environmental water and food samples.