Determination of bisphenol A and bisphenol B in canned seafood combining QuEChERS extraction with dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction followed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

Abstract

A new simple and reliable method combining an acetonitrile partitioning extractive procedure followed by dispersive solid-phase cleanup (QuEChERS) with dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) and further gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis was developed for the simultaneous determination of bisphenol A (BPA) and bisphenol B (BPB) in canned seafood samples. Besides the great enrichment factor provided, the final DLLME extractive step was designed in order to allow the simultaneous acetylation of the compounds required for their gas chromatographic analysis. Tetrachloroethylene was used as extractive solvent, while the acetonitrile extract obtained from QuEChERS was used as dispersive solvent, and anhydride acetic as derivatizing reagent. The main factors influencing QuEChERS and DLLME efficiency including nature of QuEChERS dispersive-SPE sorbents, amount of DLLME extractive and dispersive solvents and nature and amount of derivatizing reagent were evaluated. DLLME procedure provides an effective enrichment of the extract, allowing the required sensitivity even using a single quadropole MS as detector. The optimized method showed to be accurate (>68 % recovery), reproducible (<21 % relative standard deviation) and sensitive for the target analytes (method detection limits of 0.2 μg/kg for BPA and 0.4 μg/kg for BPB). The screening of several canned seafood samples commercialized in Portugal (total = 47) revealed the presence of BPA in more than 83 % of the samples with levels ranging from 1.0 to 99.9 μg/kg, while BPB was found in only one sample at a level of 21.8 μg/kg.

A review of recent developments and trends in the QuEChERS sample preparation approach

“…The QuECHERS-based sample preparation methodologies have also been used for a wide variety of contaminants analysis other than these described in the previous subsections such as acrylamide [94], UV filters and synthetic musks [95], bisphenol A and B [96], polybrominated diphenyl ethers and other flame retardants [37], endocrine disruptors [97] and others. The scope of analytes being covered by the QuEChERS approach is still broadening.…”

Extraction Techniques for Isolation, Purification and Preconcentration of Bisphenols and Alkylphenols from Environmental and Food Samples

“…The resulting method showed a high recovery (68-104%). BPA was detected in most canned fish samples at a concentration level of between 1.0-99.9 µg/kg, while bisphenol B was found only in one sample (21.7 µg/kg) [80].…”

Determination of Chlorobenzenes and Nitrobenzoates in Wastewater by Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction Coupled to Capillary Gas Chromatography

“…Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) has emerged recently as a new and very efficient alternative technique to concentrate target analytes dissolved in organic extracts, allowing a high enrichment factor in a simple and quick manner [8]. DLLME has been applied for determination of a vast variety of organic and inorganic compounds in different matrices [9,10].…”

“…Therefore, the detection of these compounds is hence important which ensures the safety of human health and properties and also avoids environmental disasters. Numerous methodologies have been demonstrated to determination of chlorobenzenes and nitrobenzoates, such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) [2][3][4], high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) [5], sensors [1,6,7] etc.Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) has emerged recently as a new and very efficient alternative technique to concentrate target analytes dissolved in organic extracts, allowing a high enrichment factor in a simple and quick manner [8]. DLLME has been applied for determination of a vast variety of organic and inorganic compounds in different matrices [9,10].…”