J.I. Cacho

Stir bar sorptive extraction coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the determination of bisphenols in canned beverages and filling liquids of canned vegetables.

This paper describes a method for the simultaneous determination of bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol F (BPF), bisphenol Z (BPZ) and biphenol (BP), using stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) in combination with thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS). Several parameters affecting both extraction and thermal desorption of the SBSE stages were carefully optimized by multivariate designs. SBSE was performed with two derivatization procedures, in situ acetylation and in tube silylation, and the results were compared with those obtained when the analytes were not derivatized. The proposed method, determining the analytes as acyl derivatives, was applied to analyze commercially canned beverages, as well as the filling liquids of canned vegetables, providing detection limits of between 4.7 and 12.5 ng L⁻¹, depending on the compound. The intraday and interday precisions were lower than 6% in terms of relative standard deviation. Recovery studies at two concentration levels, 0.1 and 1 μg L⁻¹, were performed providing recoveries in the 86-122% range. The samples analyzed contained higher concentrations of BPA than of the other analytes.

Determination of alkylphenols and phthalate esters in vegetables and migration studies from their packages by means of stir bar sorptive extraction coupled to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

This paper describes a method for the determination of three alkylphenols (APs), 4-tert-octylphenol (tOP), 4-n-octylphenol (OP) and 4-nonylphenol (NP), and six phthalate esters (PEs), dimethylphthalate (DMP), diethylphthalate (DEP), di-n-butylphthalate (DBP), n-butylbenzylphthalate (BBP), di-2-ethylhexylphthalate (DEHP) and di-n-octylphthalate (DOP), in vegetables using stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) in combination with thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS). Ultrasonic radiation was used to extract the analytes from the solid food matrix, and the extract obtained was preconcentrated by SBSE. The different parameters affecting both stages were carefully optimized. The method was applied to analyze commercial vegetables, in the form of plastic packed salads and canned greens, as well as the corresponding filling liquids of the canned food. Quantification of the samples was carried out against aqueous standards using an internal standard (anthracene). The analysis of a 2 g vegetable sample provided detection limits between 12.7 and 105.8 pg g⁻¹ for OP and DEHP, respectively. Migration studies from the plastic packages of the vegetables samples analyzed were carried out. DEP, DBP and DEHP were found to have migrated from the bags to the simulant and the same compounds were quantified in lettuce, corn salad, arugula, parsley and chard, at concentration levels in the 8-51 ng g⁻¹ range. However, OP and NP were found in only two vegetable samples and one filling liquid, but neither was detected in any package. The proposed method provided recoveries of 83-118%.

Evaluation of dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for the simultaneous determination of chlorophenols and haloanisoles in wines and cork stoppers using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was evaluated for the simultaneous determination of five chlorophenols and seven haloanisoles in wines and cork stoppers. Parameters, such as the nature and volume of the extracting and disperser solvents, extraction time, salt addition, centrifugation time and sample volume or mass, affecting the DLLME were carefully optimized to extract and preconcentrate chlorophenols, in the form of their acetylated derivatives, and haloanisoles. In this extraction method, 1mL of acetone (disperser solvent) containing 30μL of carbon tetrachloride (extraction solvent) was rapidly injected by a syringe into 5mL of sample solution containing 200μL of acetic anhydride (derivatizing reagent) and 0.5mL of phosphate buffer solution, thereby forming a cloudy solution. After extraction, phase separation was performed by centrifugation, and a volume of 4μL of the sedimented phase was analyzed by GC-MS. The wine samples were directly used for the DLLME extraction (red wines required a 1:1 dilution with water). For cork samples, the target analytes were first extracted with pentane, the solvent was evaporated and the residue reconstituted with acetone before DLLME. The use of an internal standard (2,4-dibromoanisole) notably improved the repeatability of the procedure. Under the optimized conditions, detection limits ranged from 0.004 to 0.108ngmL(-1) in wine samples (24-220pgg(-1) in corks), depending on the compound and the sample analyzed. The enrichment factors for haloanisoles were in the 380-700-fold range.

Stir bar sorptive extraction with EG-Silicone coating for bisphenols determination in personal care products by GC–MS

An easy to perform analytical method for the determination of three bisphenol compounds (BPs) in commonly used personal care products (PCPs) is presented. Ethylene glycol-silicone (EG-Silicone) coated stir bars, which have recently become commercially available, are evaluated in this study for the simultaneous determination of bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol F (BPF) and bisphenol Z (BPZ) by stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) in combination with thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS). This new sorptive extraction phase allows the analysis of these compounds without any previous derivatization procedure. Different parameters affecting both SBSE extraction and thermal desorption were carefully optimized, using experimental designs based on the Taguchi orthogonal arrays. The procedure was applied to analyzing easily bought PCPs, providing detection limits of about 8 ng g(-1), with precisions lower than 11% in terms of relative standard deviation. Recovery studies performed at two different concentration levels provided satisfactory values for all the compounds. The analyzed personal care samples contained BPA at concentration levels ranging from 30.9 to 88.3 ng g(-1).

Stir bar sorptive extraction polar coatings for the determination of chlorophenols and chloroanisoles in wines using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry

The simultaneous determination of 14 chlorophenols (CPs) and chloroanisoles (CAs) in wine samples is carried out using stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) with thermal desorption and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS), evaluating the preconcentration efficiency of two different polar extracting phases, ethylene glycol-silicone (EG-Silicone) copolymer and polyacrylate, which have recently become commercially marketed. The influence of several extraction variables on the preconcentration capacity of these two novel coatings was tested, as well as the variables affecting the thermal desorption step. The EG-Silicone extraction phase provided the best results, since it allowed the simultaneous preconcentration of both species the non-polar CAs, due to the silicone base, and the polar CPs, because of the ethylene glycol polymer. Consequently, under the finally selected conditions, CPs were determined without any derivatization step, reaching detection limits in the 0.3-1.4 ng L(-1) range, depending on the compound. For CAs the detection limits ranged from 0.2 to 0.5 ng L(-1), with good precision and recovery. Five CAs and three CPs were found in several analyzed wines, some of which can be regarded as defective considering their contents in 2,4,6-TCA and 2,6-DCA.

Stir bar sorptive extraction with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry for the determination of resveratrol, piceatannol and oxyresveratrol isomers in wines

A simple and highly sensitive procedure based on stir bar sorptive extraction coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry by means of a thermal desorption unit (SBSE-TD-GC-MS) has been optimized for the determination of cis/trans isomers of resveratrol, piceatannol and oxyresveratrol in wine samples. Quantification of the cis-isomers was carried out by generating the standards from the corresponding trans-species once they had been preconcentrated on the SBSE extracting phase. The optimization of the acetylation derivatization, SBSE extraction and thermal desorption steps was investigated using Plackett-Burman designs, taking into account the high number of variables to be considered. The use of bisphenol F as internal standard allowed quantification of the samples against aqueous standards. Repeatability, expressed as relative standard deviation of 10 successive analyses was between 5% and 9%, confirming the high precision attained under the optimized conditions. Satisfactory recovery values of between 79% and 109% were obtained for spiked samples in the 0.2-1.0 μgL(-1) concentration range, depending on the compound. The main compound determined in the analyzed samples was trans-resveratrol, with concentrations in the range of 3-230 μgL(-1), depending on the type of wine.

Evaluation of the contamination of spirits by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons using ultrasound-assisted emulsification microextraction coupled to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

The concentration of twelve polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), included in the list of priority pollutants, in different spirits has been obtained by means of a rapid and sensitive method based on gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The environmentally friendly ultrasound-assisted emulsification microextraction (USAEME) technique allowed the easy and effective preconcentration of the PAHs from the sample matrices. Several parameters affecting the extraction efficiency, such as the nature and volume of the extractant solvent, and the addition of salt, as well as the sonication parameters were investigated and optimized. The absence of matrix effects under the optimized conditions allowed the sample quantification against aqueous standards. Detection limits ranged between 1.8 and 6.3 ng L(-1), depending on the compound. Different spirit samples were successfully analyzed using the proposed method, and contents of up to 0.9 μg L(-1) were found. Relative recoveries at fortified levels of 0.2 and 1 μg L(-1) were in the range 84-118%.

Evaluation of three headspace sorptive extraction coatings for the determination of volatile terpenes in honey using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

Headspace sorptive extraction (HSSE) was used to preconcentrate seven monoterpenes (eucalyptol, linalool, menthol, geraniol, carvacrol, thymol and eugenol) for separation by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Three commercially available coatings for the stir bars, namely Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polyacrilate (PA) and Ethylene glycol-silicone (EG-Silicone), were tested, and the influential parameters both in the adsorption and the thermal desorption steps were optimized. PDMS provided the best sensitivity for linalool, geraniol, menthol and eucalyptol, whereas EG-Silicone was best for extracting the phenolic monoterpenes studied. Considering the average obtained slopes from all compounds, PDMS pointed as the best option, and the analytical characteristics for the HSSE-TD-GC-MS method using this coating were obtained. Quantification of the samples was carried out by matrix-matched calibration using a synthetic honey. Detection limits ranged between 0.007 and 0.032 ng g(-1), depending on the compound. Twelve honey samples of different floral origins were analyzed using the HSSE-GC-MS method, the analytes being detected at concentrations up to 64 ng g(-1).

Use of headspace sorptive extraction coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the analysis of volatile polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in herbal infusions

A solvent-free method is described for the determination of 10 volatile polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), considered as priority pollutants by the EU, in different herbal infusions using headspace sorptive extraction (HSSE) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The parameters affecting both the extraction and thermal desorption steps in the HSSE were optimized by means of Plackett-Burman designs. Ten millilitres of the herbal infusion was submitted to the HSSE preconcentration in the presence of salt for 4h at 88 °C. The use of d(10)-phenanthrene as internal standard not only improved the repeatability of the method but allowed quantification of the samples against external aqueous standards. Detection limits ranged between 11 and 26 ng L(-1).

Improved sensitivity gas chromatography–mass spectrometry determination of parabens in waters using ionic liquids

A new procedure for the introduction of ionic liquid samples in gas chromatography (GC) is proposed. This procedure, based on microvial insert thermal desorption, allows the direct analysis of the compounds preconcentrated by ionic liquid based liquid-liquid microextraction (IL-LLME) using the combination of a thermal desorption unit (TDU) and a programmed temperature vaporization injector (PTV). Two different IL-LLME methodologies, one based on the formation of a microdroplet emulsion by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) and other through ultrasound-assisted emulsification microextraction (USAEME) were studied and evaluated. IL-DLLME proved advantageous and consequently, it was adopted for preconcentration purposes. This easy to apply approach was used for the determination of five parabens (methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, butyl- and isobutyl paraben) in swimming pool waters, after in situ acetylation. The optimized conditions of TDU/PTV allowed the analytes contained in 20 µL of the enriched IL to be transferred to the capillary column. Quantification of the samples was carried out against aqueous standards, and quantification limits of between 4.3 and 8.1 ng L(-1) were obtained, depending on the compound. Concentrations of between 9 and 47 ng L(-1) for some analytes were obtained in the analysis of ten samples.