Concurrent extraction,clean‐up,and analysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers,hexabromocyclododecane isomers,and tetrabromobisphenol A in human milk and serum

A method has been developed and validated for the concurrent extraction, clean‐up, and analysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), α‐, β‐, and γ‐hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) in human milk and serum. Milk and serum samples were extracted using accelerated solvent extraction with acetone/hexane 1:1, v/v and liquid–liquid extraction with methyl‐tert‐butyl ether/hexane 1:1, v/v, respectively. The removal of co‐extracted biogenic materials was achieved by gel permeation chromatography followed by sulfuric acid treatment. The fractionation of the PBDEs and HBCD/TBBPA was performed using a Supelco LC‐Si SPE cartridge. The detection of the PBDEs was then performed by GC–MS and that of the HBCDs and the TBBPA was performed using UPLC–MS/MS. The pretreatment procedure was optimized, and the characteristic ions and fragmentation of the analytes were studied by MS or MS/MS. A recovery test was performed using a matrix spiking test at concentrations of 0.05–10 ng/g. The recoveries ranged from 78.6–108.8% with RSDs equal to or lower than 14.04%. The LODs were 1.8–60 pg/g. The usefulness of the developed method was tested by the analysis of real human samples, and several brominated flame retardants in different samples were detected and analyzed.     

固相萃取-气相色谱-负化学源质谱法测定人血清中的多溴联苯醚

采用OasisHLB固相萃取柱萃取血清中的多溴联苯醚(PBDEs),经浓硫酸柱上除脂后,利用气相色谱-负化学源质谱法测定BDE-17、28、47、66、99、100、153、154、183和209共10种PBDEs组分。BDE-209的测定采用DB-5 ms色谱柱(15 m×0.25 mm×0.1 μm),其他组分采用VF-5 ms色谱柱(30 m×0.25 mm×0.25 μm)。对样品中蛋白质的去除溶剂和固相萃取条件(如洗脱溶剂及其用量)进行了优化。胎牛血清中的加标回收试验结果显示,各PBDEs单体相对于内标的平均回收率为78.5%～109.7%,日内测定的相对标准偏差(RSD)为0.3%～7.4%,日间测定的RSD为1.4%～14.1%。胎牛血清中三溴～七溴联苯醚的检出限(信噪比为3)为0.10～0.27 ng/L;定量限(信噪比为10)除了BDE-209为7.91 ng/L外,其他PBDEs为0.35～0.91 ng/L。采用本方法测定标准参考物质SRM1957和SRM1958,结果在参考值范围内。实验结果表明,本方法灵敏度高、准确度和精密度好,简便快速,溶剂消耗量少,适用于人体血清中三至十位溴取代联苯醚的测定。     

同位素内标-气相色谱-高分辨双聚焦磁质谱法检测血清中多溴联苯醚

建立了同位素内标-气相色谱-高分辨双聚焦磁质谱(GC-HRMS)同时测定人体血清中14种多溴联苯醚(PBDEs)的方法.血清样品解冻后,取0.5 mL与13 C标记的内标物进行混合,加入甲醇沉淀样品中的蛋白质,比较了3种酸化条件下的去脂效果和回收率,结果显示硫酸去脂效果最好;使用液液萃取法提取样品中的目标物,比较了不同...     

“One-shot” analysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and their hydroxylated and methoxylated analogs in human breast milk and serum using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

The presence of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and their hydroxylated (OH-BDE) and methoxylated (MeO-BDE) analogs in humans is an area of high interest to scientists and the public due to their neurotoxic and endocrine disrupting effects. Consequently, there is a rise in the investigation of the occurrence of these three classes of compounds together in environmental matrices and in humans in order to understand their bioaccumulation patterns. Analysis of PBDEs, OH-BDEs, and MeO-BDEs using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) can be accomplished simultaneously, but detection limits for PBDEs and MeO-BDEs in LC-MS is insufficient for trace level quantification. Therefore, fractionation steps of the phenolic (OH-BDEs) and neutral (PBDEs and MeO-BDEs) compounds during sample preparation are typically performed so that different analytical techniques can be used to achieve the needed sensitivities. However, this approach involves multiple injections, ultimately increasing analysis time. In this study, an analytical method was developed for a “one-shot” analysis of 12 PBDEs, 12 OH-BDEs, and 13 MeO-BDEs using gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). This overall method includes simultaneous extraction of all analytes via pressurized liquid extraction followed by lipid removal steps to reduce matrix interferences. The OH-BDEs were derivatized using N-(t-butyldimethylsilyl)-N-methyltrifluoroacetamide (TBDMS-MTFA), producing OH-TBDMS derivatives that can be analyzed together with PBDEs and MeO-BDEs by GC-MS/MS in “one shot” within a 25-min run time. The overall recoveries were generally higher than 65%, and the limits of detection ranged from 2 to 14 pg in both breast milk and serum matrices. The applicability of the method was successfully validated on four paired human breast milk and serum samples. The mean concentrations of total PBDEs, OH-BDEs, and MeO-BDEs in breast milk were 59, 2.2, and 0.57 ng g⁻¹ lipid, respectively. In serum, the mean total concentrations were 79, 38, and 0.96 ng g⁻¹ lipid, respectively, exhibiting different distribution profiles from the levels detected in breast milk. This “one-shot” GC-MS/MS method will prove useful and cost-effective in large-scale studies needed to further understand the partitioning behavior, and ultimately the adverse health effects, of these important classes of brominated flame retardants in humans.     

Simultaneous determination of seven nitrogen‐containing phenyl ethers in cosmetics by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry and dispersive solid‐phase extraction

An analytical method was established for the simultaneous determination of seven nitrogen‐containing phenyl ethers (2‐anisidine, 3‐anisidine, 4‐anisidine, 2‐nitroanisole, 3‐nitroanisole, 4‐nitroanisole, and 3,3'‐dimethoxybenzidine) in cosmetics by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry in this work. The samples were extracted with ethyl acetate and purified with primary secondary amine during the dispersed solid‐phase extraction. The analytes were separated by a DB‐17MS column and detected in the electron ionization mode of mass spectrometry in the selected ions monitoring mode. The extraction solvent, purification adsorbents, and chromatographic column behavior were optimized. The results indicated that the seven analytes show good linear relationship (R ² > 0.9965) in the concentrations of 5.0–5000 μg/L. The quantitation limits of the method ranged from 19.0 to 84.8 μg/kg. The recovery rates of seven analytes were in the range of 72.6–114% with the relative standard deviations of 1.1–7.5%. Real sample analyses showed that this accurate and precise method could be appropriate for simultaneous determination of seven nitrogen‐containing phenyl ethers in cosmetics.     

Enrichment and determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in environmental water samples by magnetic solid‐phase extraction with core–shell magnetic carbon microspheres before gas chromatography with mass spectrometry

Core–shell magnetic carbon microspheres were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method and used as a novel magnetic solid‐phase extraction adsorbent for the sensitive determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in environmental water samples. Gas chromatography with negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry was adopted for the detection. Box–Behnken design was used to investigate and optimize important magnetic solid‐phase extraction parameters through response surface methodology. Under the optimal conditions, low limits of detection (0.07–0.17 ng·L^?1), a wide linear range (1–1000 ng·L^?1), and good repeatability (0.80–4.58%) were achieved. The developed method was validated with several real water samples, and satisfactory results were obtained in the range of 72.8–97.9%. These results indicated that core–shell magnetic carbon microspheres have great potential as an adsorbent for the magnetic solid‐phase extraction of polybrominated diphenyl ethers at trace levels from environmental water samples.     

超声辅助萃取-气相色谱-负化学电离源质谱法测定室内灰尘样品中8种常见多溴联苯醚

建立了室内灰尘样品中8种常见多溴联苯醚(PBDEs: BDE-28、BDE-47、BDE-99、BDE-100、BDE-153、BDE-154、BDE-183和BDE-209)的气相色谱-负化学电离源质谱(GC-NCI/MS)分析方法。样品经吸尘器采集、正己烷超声萃取、浓缩后,采用GC-NCI/MS测定。结果表明,方法的加标回收率为53.2%～107.6%,日内测定的相对标准偏差(RSD)为2.8%～16.5%,日间测定的RSD为6.4%～22.6%。除了BDE-209的检出限(信噪比为3)为0.15 ng/g外,其他多溴联苯醚的检出限为0.003～0.015 ng/g。该方法灵敏度高,准确度和精密度好,简便快速,溶剂消耗量少,适用于灰尘中三溴～十溴联苯醚的测定。     

固相萃取结合超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法及气相色谱-负化学源质谱法测定人血清中的四溴双酚A、六溴环十二烷和多溴联苯醚

建立了固相萃取同时提取、净化血清中四溴双酚A(TBBPA)、α, β, γ-六溴环十二烷(HBCD)和8种多溴联苯醚(PBDEs)同系物的样本前处理方法,并结合色谱-质谱分离分析技术检测人血清样本中该类化合物的含量。试样在加入各自的同位素内标物后以甲基叔丁基醚/正己烷(1:1, v/v)混合溶剂进行萃取,再经浓硫酸去除脂肪后,以LC-Si固相萃取柱分离HBCD/TBBPA和PBDEs。采用分步检测的方式,在50 mm长BEH C18反相色谱柱上以超高效液相色谱-串联质谱(UPLC-MS/MS)的多反应监测模式(MRM)检测HBCD和TBBPA,在15 m长的毛细管柱上以气相色谱-负化学源质谱(GC-NCI/MS)的选择离子监测模式(SIM)检测PBDEs。以胎牛血清为空白基质,当HBCD、TBBPA和BDE-209的加标水平为0.5 ng/g和5 ng/g、三溴至七溴联苯醚的加标水平为0.05 ng/g和0.5 ng/g时,它们的平均加标回收率为80.3%～108.8%,相对标准偏差为1.02%～11.42%(n=5);以信噪比(S/N)为3计算,方法的检出限(LOD)为1.81～42.16 pg/g。采用该方法对实际样品进行测定,结果表明,本方法快速、准确、灵敏度高,能够满足血清中HBCD、TBBPA和PBDEs残留的同时提取及测定的要求。     

超声辅助萃取气相色谱-质谱法测定松针中的多溴联苯醚

建立了测定松针样品中多溴联苯醚(PBDEs)的分析方法。松针样品经过正己烷-丙酮(体积比为1∶1)混合溶液超声萃取、浓硫酸和氧化铝柱净化后,采用气相色谱-负化学电离源质谱(GC-NCI-MS)选择离子监测(SIM)模式检测,内标法定量。结果表明,方法的加标回收率为83.8%~107.5%,三溴~七溴代联苯醚的仪器检出限为0.152~ 0.770 pg,十溴代联苯醚(BDE-209)的检出限为11.1 pg;三溴~七溴代联苯醚的方法检出限(湿重)为3~15 pg/g,BDE-209的方法检出限(湿重)为222 pg/g。方法具有良好的重现性、较高的灵敏度和良好的回收率。实际样品分析表明,松针中BDE-209是主要的同类物,约占8种PBDEs总量的82.3%,低溴代联苯醚以2,2′,4,4′-四溴联苯醚(BDE-47)为主。     

Optimized determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and polychlorinated biphenyls in sheep serum by solid-phase extraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

We describe a solid-phase extraction (SPE) method, followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), for the simultaneous determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in sheep serum samples. The denaturation of serum proteins by formic acid, water-1-propanol and water-2-propanol were compared and optimized. Seven different solid-phase sorbents were tested and it was found that Strata-X cartridge (200 mg, 6 mL) gave the best recoveries (92-106%, SD < 6%, n = 3) for all the target analytes. The different extraction solvents (iso-hexane and dichloromethane), either alone or in combination, were used to extract these persistent organic compounds from spiked serum samples by SPE. Removal of co-extracted biogenic materials was achieved using adsorption chromatography with acid modified silica and activated silica. Iso-hexane was found to be the most appropriate solvent for clean-up providing good recoveries and clear chromatographic separation; its use is preferable to that of DCM because it is less environmentally toxic. The limits of detection (LOD) of the proposed method were 47-105 pg g⁻¹ and 16-24 pg g⁻¹ for the different PBDEs and PCBs studied, respectively. The developed method was linear over the range from 0.05 to 30 ng g⁻¹, for all PBDEs except PBDE 183 (0.10-30 ng g⁻¹), and from 0.02 to 30 ng g⁻¹ for all tested PCB congeners. The established method was successfully applied to sheep serum samples from Scotland, UK, for the determination of the target PBDEs and PCBs.     

Fast determination of 14 mycotoxins in chestnut by dispersive solid‐phase extraction coupled with ultra high performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry

A dispersive solid‐phase extraction coupled with ultra high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of T‐2 toxin, penicillic acid, fumonisins B₁, B₂, and B₃, aflatoxins B₁, B₂, G₁, and G₂, ochratoxin A, deoxynivalenol, 3‐acetyldeoxynivalenol, 15‐acetyldeoxynivalenol, and zearalenone in chestnut samples. The method was used to analyze 136 samples obtained from Shandong province in China. The mycotoxins were extracted using a dispersive solid‐phase extraction method and cleaned using an improved quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe approach. The mycotoxins were then detected using a triple‐quadrupole mass spectrometer. The limits of detection and quantification ranged from 0.02 to 1 and 0.1 to 2 μg/kg, respectively. The recovery rates ranged from 74.2 to 109.5%, with relative standard deviations below 15%. A total of 71 samples were contaminated with seven mycotoxins at concentrations ranging from 1.2 to 105.5 μg/kg, with a number of samples exceeding the maximum limits set in the European regulations for mycotoxins in unprocessed chestnuts.     

Simultaneous determination of phthalates and adipates in human serum using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry with solid‐phase extraction

A gas chromatography–mass spectrometry assay was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of phthalates and adipates in human serum. The phthalates and adipates studied were dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, benzylbutyl phthalate, di‐2‐ethylhexyl phthalate, di‐n‐octyl phthalate, diethyl adipate, dibutyl adipate, diisobutyl adipate, bis(2‐butoxyethyl) adipate and di‐2‐ethylhexyl adipate, with diisooctyl phthalate as internal standard. The extraction and cleaning up procedure was carried out with solid‐phase extraction cartridges containing dimethyl butylamine groups, which showed extraction efficiencies over 88% for each analyte and the internal standard. The calibration curves obtained were linear with correlation coefficients greater than 0.98. For all analytes, the assay gave CV% values for intra‐day precision from 4.9 to 13.3% and mean accuracy values from 91.4 to 108.4%, while inter‐day precision was 5.2–13.4% and mean accuracy 91.0–110.2%. The limits of detection for the assay of phthalates and adipates were in the range 0.7–4.5 ng/mL. The method is simple, sensitive and accurate, and allows for simultaneous determination of nanogram levels of phthalates and adipates in human serum. It was successfully applied to an investigation on the level of phthalates and adipates in a non‐occupationally exposed population.     

同位素稀释-高分辨气相色谱/高分辨质谱法测定大气中多溴联苯醚和多溴联苯153

针对环境监测的特点和要求,建立了同位素稀释-高分辨气相色谱/高分辨质谱测定大气中多溴联苯醚(PBDEs)和多溴联苯153(BB153)的方法。采用正己烷/二氯甲烷(1:1, v/v)及正己烷分别对PBDEs和BB153进行快速溶剂萃取,并通过复合硅胶柱净化。在校准曲线最高浓度的10%和90%加标水平下得到的天然内标的平均回收率分别为100%和104%,平均相对标准偏差(n=7)分别为5%和6%;二至十溴代联苯醚和BB153相应的¹³C同位素标准物质回收率在36.5%~133%之间;而一溴代联苯醚¹³C同位素标准物质回收率较差,可能是由于物化性质与其他化合物不同。在实际采样体积为300 m³的情况下,未发生污染物穿透现象;分析物检出限低于2×10^-4 ng/Nm³,提取内标回收率在56%~126%之间(一溴代联苯醚除外)。实验结果表明该方法能对化合物准确定量,适用于大气中二至十溴代联苯醚和BB153的分析。     

Mycoestrogen determination in cow milk: Magnetic solid‐phase extraction followed by liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry analysis

Recently, magnetic solid‐phase extraction has gained interest because it presents various operational advantages over classical solid‐phase extraction. Furthermore, magnetic nanoparticles are easy to prepare, and various materials can be used in their synthesis. In the literature, there are only few studies on the determination of mycoestrogens in milk, although their carryover in milk has occurred. In this work, we wanted to develop the first (to the best of our knowledge) magnetic solid‐phase extraction protocol for six mycoestrogens from milk, followed by liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry analysis. Magnetic graphitized carbon black was chosen as the adsorbent, as this carbonaceous material, which is very different from the most diffuse graphene and carbon nanotubes, had already shown selectivity towards estrogenic compounds in milk. The graphitized carbon black was decorated with Fe₃O₄, which was confirmed by the characterization analyses. A milk deproteinization step was avoided, using only a suitable dilution in phosphate buffer as sample pretreatment. The overall process efficiency ranged between 52 and 102%, whereas the matrix effect considered as signal suppression was below 33% for all the analytes even at the lowest spiking level. The obtained method limits of quantification were below those of other published methods that employ classical solid‐phase extraction protocols.     

Ultrasound-assisted leaching-dispersive solid-phase extraction followed by liquid-liquid microextraction for the determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in sediment samples by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Ultrasound-assisted leaching-dispersive solid-phase extraction followed by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (USAL-DSPE-DLLME) technique has been developed as a new analytical approach for extracting, cleaning up and preconcentrating polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) from sediment samples prior gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) analysis. In the first place, PBDEs were leached from sediment samples by using acetone. This extract was cleaned-up by DSPE using activated silica gel as sorbent material. After clean-up, PBDEs were preconcentrated by using DLLME technique. Thus, 1 mL acetone extract (disperser solvent) and 60 μL carbon tetrachloride (extraction solvent) were added to 5 mL ultrapure water and a DLLME technique was applied. Several variables that govern the proposed technique were studied and optimized. Under optimum conditions, the method detection limits (MDLs) of PBDEs calculated as three times the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) were within the range 0.02-0.06 ng g⁻¹. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) for five replicates were <9.8%. The calibration graphs were linear within the concentration range of 0.07-1000 ng g⁻¹ for BDE-47, 0.09-1000 ng g⁻¹ for BDE-100, 0.10-1000 ng g⁻¹ for BDE-99 and 0.19-1000 ng g⁻¹ for BDE-153 and the coefficients of estimation were ≥0.9991. Validation of the methodology was carried out by standard addition method at two concentration levels (0.25 and 1 ng g⁻¹) and by comparing with a reference Soxhlet technique. Recovery values were ≥80%, which showed a satisfactory robustness of the analytical methodology for determination of low PBDEs concentration in sediment samples.     

Determining multi‐pesticide residues in teas by dispersive solid‐phase extraction combined with speed‐regulated directly suspended droplet microextraction followed by gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

In this study, an effective speed‐regulated directly suspended droplet microextraction method was developed to condense pesticide residues from teas through dispersive solid‐phase extraction prior to analysis by gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. The extractant was intentionally dispersed into the sample solution in the form of globules through high‐speed agitation. This procedure increases the contact area between the binary phases and shortens the distribution equilibrium time. The fine globules reassembled by decelerating stirring speed, the extractant could be taken out for gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Recovery studies were performed under optimized extraction conditions by using matrix blanks fortified with pesticides at three concentrations (10, 50, and 100 µg/kg). Over 87% of the recoveries for the analytes in four tea matrices were acceptable given their recovery ranges of 70–120% and relative standard deviations of ≤20%. The limits of quantification of most pesticides were lower than 10 µg/kg and thus satisfied the requirements for maximum residue levels prescribed by the European Community. A total of 38 tea samples from local markets were analyzed by using the proposed method. Results showed that chlorpyrifos was the most frequently detected pesticide in teas. The method is a potential choice for the routine monitoring of pesticide residues in complex matrices.     

Suitability of selective pressurized liquid extraction combined with gas chromatography-ion-trap tandem mass spectrometry for the analysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers

A one-step extraction and clean-up method using pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) (selective PLE) combined with gas chromatography-ion-trap tandem mass spectrometry (GC-ITMS-MS) was evaluated for the analysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (from tri- to hepta-PBDEs) at low concentrations in fish and shellfish samples. To this end, the performance of an on-line PLE extraction/clean-up method and of a classical Soxhlet extraction and clean-up method using a multi-layer modified silica column were compared. The two sample treatment methods provided similar results, although an important reduction in the sample treatment time (40 min per sample) was achieved using the selective PLE method. In addition, the suitability of the PLE combined with GC-ITMS-MS method was evaluated by comparing the results obtained in the analysis of fish samples with those obtained by gas chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS). Good agreement between both techniques was obtained with differences between the mean values of less than 16%. The selective PLE method coupled to GC-ITMS-MS produced accurate results for PBDE determination with low limits of detection (1.0-16.8 pg g⁻¹ wet weight) and quantification (3.1-51 pg g⁻¹ wet weight) as well as good precision (RSD < 16%). This method has been applied to the analysis of PBDEs in fish and shellfish samples collected at fish markets in Catalonia (NE Spain).     

Quantitative determination of risperidone,paliperidone and olanzapine in human serum by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry coupled with on‐line solid‐phase extraction

A recent guideline recommends therapeutic drug monitoring for risperidone, paliperidone and olanzapine, which are frequently used second‐generation antipsychotics. We developed a simple high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry coupled with an online solid‐phase extraction method that can be used to measure risperidone, paliperidone and olanzapine using small (40 μL) samples. The analytes were extracted from serum samples automatically pre‐concentrated and purified by C₈ (5 μm, 2.1 × 30 mm) solid‐phase extraction cartridges, then chromatographed on an Xbidge™ C₁₈ column (3.5 μm, 100 × 2.1 mm) thermostatted at 30°C with a mobile phase consisting of 70% acetonitrile and 30% ammonium hydroxide 1% solution at an isocratic flow rate of 0.3 mL/min, and detected with tandem mass spectrometry. The assay was validated in the concentration range from 2.5 to 160 ng/mL. Intra‐ and inter‐day precision for all analytes was between 1.1 and 8.2%; method accuracy was between 6.6 and 7.6%. The risperidone and paliperidone assay was compared with a high‐performance liquid chromatography‐ultraviolet assay currently used in our hospital for risperidone and paliperidone therapeutic drug monitoring, and the results of weighted Deming regression analysis showed good agreement. For the olanzapine assay, we compared 20 samples in separate re‐assays on different days; all the relative errors were within the 20% recommended limit.     

Determination of vitamin A in blood serum based on solid‐phase extraction using cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide‐modified attapulgite

Cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide‐modified attapulgite was prepared and utilized as a novel sorbent in a simple solid‐phase extraction method for the determination of vitamin A in blood serum. Several factors affecting extraction efficiency were systematically optimized, including the sampling solvent and its volume, as well as the elution solvent and its volume. Under the optimal solid‐phase extraction conditions, the adsorption capacity of vitamin A was as high as 28 mg/g according to the Langmuir isotherm model. Based on the developed solid‐phase extraction method, the level of vitamin A in 200 µL blood serum sample could be accurately determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography. The recoveries of vitamin A spiked in 10% v/v methanol aqueous solutions were in the range of 86.9–92.8%, with the relative standard deviations not more than 8.1%. The method was applied to the determination of vitamin A in serum samples from 20 pregnant women. Compared with the previously reported solid‐phase extraction methods for determination of vitamin A in serum, our developed cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide‐modified attapulgite‐based solid‐phase extraction method used lower serum volume, omitted extra steps (i.e. evaporation and re‐dissolution), and eliminated internal standard. The results were promising for it to be used in routine monitoring during pregnancy.     

Dispersive solid‐phase extraction combined with dispersive liquid‐liquid microextraction for simultaneous determination of seven succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor fungicides in watermelon by ultra high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

In this study, a simple and accurate sample preparation method based on dispersive solid‐phase extraction and dispersive liquid‐liquid microextraction has been developed for the determination of seven novel succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor fungicides (isopyrazam, fluopyram, pydiflumetofen, boscalid, penthiopyrad, fluxapyroxad, and thifluzamide) in watermelon. The watermelon samples were extracted with acetonitrile, cleaned up by dispersive solid‐phase extraction procedure using primary secondary amine, extracted and concentrated by the dispersive liquid‐liquid microextraction procedure with 1,1,2,2‐tetrachloroethane, and then analyzed by ultra high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. The main experimental factors affecting the performance of dispersive solid‐phase extraction and dispersive liquid‐liquid microextraction procedure on extraction efficiency were investigated. The proposed method had a good linearity in the range of 0.1–100 µg/kg with correlation coefficients (r) of 0.9979–0.9999. The limit of quantification of seven fungicides was 0.1 µg/kg in the method. The fortified recoveries of seven succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor fungicides at three levels ranged from 72.0 to 111.6% with relative standard deviations of 3.4–14.1% (n = 5). The proposed method was successfully used for the rapid determination of seven succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor fungicides in watermelon.