A Perspective of the Comprehensive and Objective Assessment of Analytical Methods Including the Greenness and Functionality Criteria: Application to the Determination of Zinc in Aqueous Samples

Abstract

The recently proposed concept of White Analytical Chemistry (WAC), referring to the Red-Green-Blue color model, combines ecological aspects (green) with functionality (red and blue criteria), presenting the complete method as “white”. However, it is not easy to carry out an overall quantitative evaluation of the analytical method in line with the WAC idea in an objective manner. This paper outlines the perspective of the future development of such a possibility by attempting to answer selected questions about the evaluation process. Based on the study consisting in the evaluation of selected model methods by a group of 12 independent analysts, it was shown how well individual criteria are assessed, whether the variability of assessments by different people is comparable for each criterion, how large it is, and whether averaging the scores from different researchers can help to choose the best method more objectively.

Insights into the sustainability of liquid chromatographic methods for favipiravir bioanalysis: a comparative study

“…While existing greenness assessment scales enable the comparison of methods based on ecological aspects, 6,37–39 they do not consider parameters that determine the method functionality such as method effectiveness and practicality, thus they do not represent the overall quality of the method. 58 Conversely, the WAC concept goes beyond the green metric approach by including additional criteria beyond environmental considerations. 48 Through the application of these principles, the assessment using the WAC approach enables a more comprehensive analysis of both method performance and its practical advantages.…”