Reduced Matrix Effects and Simultaneous Determination of Three Juvenile Hormone Analogs in Tea by Disperse Solid-Phase Extraction (DSPE) and Gas Chromatography – Tandem Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS/MS)

Abstract

Juvenile hormone III (JH III) maintains larval characteristics in insects and promotes ovary development in adults. Hydroprene, kinoprene, and methoprene are synthesized analogs based on natural JH III. A novel and precise method was established to mitigate the matrix effects and concurrently determine these juvenile hormone analogs in tea employing gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). Water addition as a sample extraction approach was utilized and contrasted with protocols excluding water. Concurrently, the sought compounds underwent extraction with 1% (v/v) acetic acid-acetonitrile, followed by purification utilizing 0.1 g graphitized carbon black (GCB), 0.4 g primary secondary amine (PSA), and 0.4 g C18. Following separation via a DB-17MS column, detection of the analytes was conducted through GC-MS/MS in dynamic multiple reaction monitoring (DMRM) mode with quantification by a matrix-matching standard curve. Satisfactory linear relationships were established for the trio of juvenile hormone analogs within a 0.01–0.32 mg/L range, exhibiting correlation coefficients (R2) exceeding 0.999 and quantitation limits (LOQs) approximately spanning 0.005–0.01 mg/kg. Mean recoveries, spanning three concentrations (0.02, 0.1, 0.2 mg/kg), varied between 77.6% and 115.9%. The relative standard deviations (RSDs, n = 6) were from 0.5% to 5.8%. Detection of the juvenile hormone analogs was accomplished in tea samples. In summary, this investigation demonstrated a proficient approach in addressing complications by diminishing the matrix effects in a complex sample.