A new sample preparation method based on microextraction in packed syringe was developed for preconcentration of quercetin prior to its spectrophotometric determination. Molecularly imprinted polymers as packing material was used for higher extraction efficiency. First, glass powder as support material because of low cost and available substrate was modified, and then molecularly imprinted polymers were synthesized by the sol–gel method using 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane as a functional monomer and tetraethyl orthosilicate as cross-linker agent. The combination of amolecularly imprinted polymers and microextraction in packed syringe increased the selectivity and sensitivity. The surface morphology and functionality of the prepared molecularly imprinted polymerswas characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Different influencing parameters on extraction efficiency such as effect of the number of sample sorption/desorption cycles, type and volume of desorption solvent, pH of the sample solution, and molecularly imprinted polymers amounts were optimized. Under the optimum condition, the proposed method displayed a linear range from 0.01 to 5 μg mL−1 and limit of detection 3.68 ng mL−1. Relative standard deviation for three replicate determination of 1 μg mL−1 quercetin was 2.1 %. The proposed method was applied successfully for the selective extraction of quercetin fromtea and coffee samples.
