Determination of four paraben-type preservatives and three benzophenone-type ultraviolet light filters in seafoods by LC-QqLIT-MS/MS

Abstract

For the first time, an efficient and sensitive analytical method based on liquid chromatography-quadrupole linear ion trap-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-QqLIT-MS/MS) was developed for the simultaneous determination of four paraben-type preservatives and three benzophenone-type ultraviolet light filters in both plant (Sargassum fusiforme, porphyra, kelp) and animal (hairtail, yellow croaker, shrimp) seafood. The samples were extracted in methanol by pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), and the extracts were then cleaned up by mixed-mode cationic exchange (MCX) solid-phase extraction cartridges. Both isotope-labeled internal standards and matrix-matched calibration standards were used to alleviate and correct for the matrix effects, and the limits of quantification (LOQs) were 10.0μg kg−1 for all target compounds. The average recoveries were in the range of 80.6–107.8% at three spiked concentration levels (10, 50 and 100μgkg−1) with relative standard deviations (RSDs) below 8.5%. The results suggest that very limited contamination of these seven emerging contaminants, mainly associated with PCPs, occurred in these common seafoods.