A fast energized dispersive guided extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons for risk-based seafood monitoring after an oil spill

Abstract

After the 2019 oil spill disaster on the Brazilian coast, the demand for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) analysis in seafood samples increased. The aim of this study was to develop an advanced method of energized dispersive guided extraction (EDGE) and quantification of PAH by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry with atmospheric-pressure chemical ionization source (LC-APCI-MS/MS). The developed method was validated in terms of selectivity, working range (1.25 – 20.0 µg kg−1), matrix effect (relative errors > 20%, precision (CV < 30%), accuracy (77 – 128%), limits of detection (0.9 – 1.25 µg kg−1) and quantification (1.25 – 5.00 µg kg−1), and decision limit (2.9 – 7.8 µg kg−1). This method was applied to 238 samples to consolidate the first official Brazilian monitoring of PAH in seafood. PAH were quantified in 15% of samples, with concentrations up to 69.3 µg kg−1. The carcinogenic compound B[a]P was present in 4% of samples, with concentrations up to 42.7 µg kg−1. The health risk of seafood consumers was assessed using the margin of exposure (MOE) approach. Despite this, the risk assessment indicated that the disaster was of low concern to human health (MOE > 10.000). This new method increased laboratory throughput and was successfully applied to different types of samples, supporting monitoring of seafood after the disaster.