Multiple headspace solid-phase microextraction using a new fiber for avoiding matrix interferences in the quantitative determination of ethyl carbamate in pickles

Multiple headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) using a novel fiber coated with anilino-methyl triethoxy silicane-methacrylic acid/terminated silicone oil has been introduced as a useful pretreatment technique coupled to gas chromatography-flame ionization detector for the detection of ethyl carbamate in pickles. Anilino-methyl triethoxy silicane and methacrylic acid are put into use simultaneously with the aim to increase the hydrogen interaction strength between ethyl carbamate and the coating. In addition, the new fiber exhibits high thermal stability, good reproducibility, and long lifetime. Extraction temperature, extraction time, amount of desiccant, and amount of sample were well optimized to guarantee the suitability of multiple HS-SPME. Significant matrix interference was observed among various types of pickles and the multiple HS-SPME procedure was proved to be effective in avoiding the matrix effect by a complete recovery of the analyte. The method showed satisfactory linearity (0.1-100 mg kg(-1)), precision (4.25%, n = 5), and detection limit (0.038 mg kg(-1)). The accuracy of the method was evaluated by comparison with standard addition method and the results were statistically equivalent. The study indicates that the multiple HS-SPME procedure is simple, convenient, accurate, and low-cost, and most of all, can be used for quantitative analysis in complex matrix without matrix effect.