Whiteness Evaluation for Chemical Analysis (WECA) as a Flexible Tool and Web-Based Software for Whiteness Assessment in Analytical Chemistry

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Authors: Fotouh R. Mansour, Marcello Locatelli, Reem H. Obaydo, Amir Shaaban Farag, Alaa Bedair
Cited by: 22
References: 31

Abstract

White Analytical Chemistry (WAC) provides a holistic framework for evaluating analytical methods by balancing analytical performance, environmental sustainability, and practical efficiency. Existing WAC assessment tools offer structured evaluation but often lack flexibility or comprehensiveness. To bridge this gap, we introduce the Whiteness Evaluation for Chemical Analysis (WECA) tool as a dynamic, web-based application that enables customizable, context-aware assessment of analytical methods. WECA allows users to select 2–4 criteria per RGB domain (Red: analytical performance; Green: environmental impact; Blue: practical efficiency), assign user-defined weights, and visualize results through an intuitive color-coded interface. The tool calculates a composite WECA score (%) that reflects overall method “whiteness”. Three case studies, covering HPLC-DAD, micellar electrokinetic chromatography, and electrochemical sensing, demonstrate WECA’s applicability and its ability to highlight method strengths and weaknesses across diverse analytical scenarios. WECA represents a step toward more adaptable, transparent, and visually intuitive method evaluation in alignment with the evolving principles of WAC.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Water Quality Monitoring and Analysis Biosensors and Analytical Detection Analytical Methods in Pharmaceuticals

Publication details

Journal / source
Analytica—A Journal of Analytical Chemistry and Chemical Analysis
Publisher
MDPI AG
Volume
7
Issue
1
Pages
19–19
Publication date
2 March 2026
Language
EN