Determination of 11 synthetic musks in imported seafood by solid phase extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Abstract

A method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of 11 synthetic musks (cashmeran, celestolide, phantolide, musk ambrette, traseolide, galaxolide, musk xylene, tonalide, musk moskene, musk tibetene, and musk ketone) in imported seafood. The method combines solid phase extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Samples were extracted by n-hexane and purified using a Florisil column. Internal standards were used to correct for matrix effects. The calibration curves showed good linearity with correlation coefficients greater than 0.99. The limits of detection (S/N>3) ranged from 0.35 to 2.08 μg/kg, and the limits of quantification (S/N>10) were between 1.18 and 5.00 μg/kg. The average recoveries measured at three spiked levels (10, 20, and 30 μg/kg) were in the range 83.1%-117%, with relative standard deviations ranging from 5.1% to 8.5%. Further, the concentrations of 11 synthetic musks in 30 imported seafood in Shanghai were investigated. Galaxolide was detected in 93.3% of samples analysed, in concentration as high as 3.82 μg/kg. Musk ambrette and musk moskene were found in concentrations as high as 15.4 μg/kg and 10.5 μg/kg, respectively. The established method demonstrates high sensitivity and selectivity for the determination and confirmation of 11 synthetic musks in imported seafood.