Determination of parabens in environmental solid samples by ultrasonic-assisted extraction and liquid chromatography with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry

J Chromatogr A. 2008 Dec 19;1214(1-2):178-82. doi: 10.1016/j.chroma.2008.10.105. Epub 2008 Nov 6.

Abstract

Analysis of various p-hydroxybenzoic esters (methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, propyl, benzyl, and butylparaben) in environmental solid samples was carried out by sonication-assisted extraction in small columns (SAESC) followed by liquid chromatography with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Solid samples were placed in small glass columns and extraction performed assisted by sonication in two consecutive steps of 15 min using acetonitrile as extraction solvent. Sample extracts were evaporated under nitrogen stream to 1 ml and analysed by LC-MS/MS. Satisfactory recoveries were obtained ranging from 83% to 110% depending on the analyte. Good limits of quantification (LOQs), between 0.11 and 0.49 ng g(-1) were obtained for LC-MS/MS, making this technique suitable for the determination of parabens in environmental solid samples, particularly at trace level. The developed method was applied to the determination of target analytes in different types of soil and sediments, finding levels between LOD and 6.35 ng g(-1).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chromatography, Liquid / methods*
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods*
  • Geologic Sediments / chemistry
  • Linear Models
  • Parabens / analysis*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Soil / analysis
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry / methods*
  • Ultrasonics

Substances

  • Parabens
  • Soil