Determination of acrylamide in food using a UPLC–MS/MS method: results of the official control and dietary exposure assessment in Cyprus

ABSTRACT

The determination of acrylamide in potato products, bakery products and coffee, and the human dietary exposure is reported. The method reported is based on a single extraction step with water, followed by the clean-up of the extract using solid phase extraction columns and finally, the determination of acrylamide using UPLC–MS/MS. The MS/MS detection was carried out using an ESI interface in positive ion mode. Internal calibration was used for the quantification of acrylamide, because of the suppression/enhancement matrix effects due to the complex nature of the samples. The method performance characteristics were determined after spiking blank samples. The mean recoveries in spiked coffee samples, potato chips, breakfast cereals and crispbread ranged from 93% to 99%, with RSDs lower than 5% for both repeatability and reproducibility conditions. The estimated limits of detection and quantification of the method were 10 and 32 μg kg^?1, respectively. The method was used for monitoring acrylamide in 406 samples. Acrylamide amounts ranged from <32 to 2450 μg kg^?1. A total of 360 samples (89%) were contaminated with acrylamide, but only 14% of the samples exceeded the benchmark levels of the EU legislation. Foods with the highest mean acrylamide amounts were potato crisps (642 μg kg^?1), French fries (383 μg kg^?1) and biscuits (353 μg kg^?1). The mean and 95th percentile acrylamide exposures of adolescents in Cyprus were 0.8 and 1.8 μg kg^?1 body weight per day, respectively. The estimated levels of dietary exposure to acrylamide are not of concern with respect to neurotoxicity. However, the margins of exposure (MOEs) indicate a concern for carcinogenicity. Potato fried products (45%), fine bakery ware (21%) and potato chips (14%) contributed the most to overall acrylamide exposure.     

Improved sensitivity of ochratoxin A analysis in coffee using high-performance liquid chromatography with hybrid triple quadrupole-linear ion trap mass spectrometry (LC-QqQLIT-MS/MS)

A novel and sensitive method utilising high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole-linear ion trap mass spectrometry (LC-QqQLIT-MS/MS) was developed in order to analyse the content of ochratoxin A (OTA) in coffee samples. The introduction of the triple-stage MS scanning mode (MS³) has been shown to increase greatly sensitivity and selectivity by eliminating the high chromatographic baseline caused by interference of complex coffee matrices. The analysis included the sample preparation procedure involving extraction of OTA using a methanol–water mixture and clean-up by immunoaffinity columns and detection using the MS³ scanning mode of LC-QqQLIT-MS/MS. The proposed method offered a good linear correlation (r² > 0.998), excellent precision (RSD < 2.9%) and recovery (94%). The limit of quantification (LOQ) for coffee beans and espresso beverages was 0.010 and 0.003 µg kg^?1, respectively. The developed procedure was compared with traditional methods employing liquid chromatography coupled to fluorescent and tandem quadrupole detectors in conjunction with QuEChERS and solid-phase extraction. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of OTA in 15 samples of coffee beans and in 15 samples of espresso coffee beverages obtained from the Latvian market. OTA was found in 10 samples of coffee beans and in two samples of espresso in the ranges of 0.018–1.80 µg kg^?1 and 0.020–0.440 µg l^?1, respectively. No samples exceeded the maximum permitted level of OTA in the European Union (5.0 µg kg^?1).     

Survey on acrylamide in roasted coffee and barley and in potato crisps sold in Italy by a LC–MS/MS method

ABSTRACT

A survey on the occurrence of acrylamide (AA) in roasted coffee, barley, and potato crisps was carried out using an intra-lab validated liquid chromatography (LC)–MS (mass spectrometry)/MS method. Over the years 2015–2016, 66 samples of coffee, 22 of roasted barley, and 22 of potato crisps were collected from retail outlets in Italy. AA was detected in almost all samples. In roasted coffee, the level exceeded 450 µg kg^?1, the limit recommended by the European Commission (EC), in 36.4% of the samples. In roasted barley, mean contamination was slightly lower than in coffee and no sample exceeded the EC limit of 2000 µg kg^?1. The AA contamination in potato crisps was remarkable. A percentage of 36.4 (n = 8) showed a value higher than the EC limit of 1000 µg kg^?1. Considering the average consumption of coffee and potato crisps by Italian people, AA exposure is significant and should be decreased.     

Simultaneous Determination of Multiclass Pesticides and Antibiotics in Honey Samples Based on Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry

A simple, fast, and efficient method was developed for simultaneous determination of 79 pesticides and 13 antibiotics compounds of different chemical classes of pesticides and antibiotics in honey samples by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). The sample preparation procedure includes homogenization with McIlvaine buffer 0.1 mol L^?1 (pH 4), followed by extraction with acetonitrile and cleanup with florisil, using dispersive solid phase extraction (d-SPE). The proposed method was validated with good results, such as linearity (r ²?>?0.9901), normality, and independence of the evaluated data, as well as recoveries between 70 and 120 % with relative standard deviation (RSD) <20 % for most of the compounds spiked from 0.1 to 200 μg kg^?1. The experimental method limits of detection and quantification were from 0.03 to 1.51 μg kg^?1 and from 0.1 to 5 μg kg^?1, respectively, for the pesticides. For the antibiotics, the decision limits (0.1 to 2 μg g^?1) and the detection capacity (0.12 to 2.81 μg g^?1) were below the maximum residue limits (MRLs) established for honey by the Brazilian and European legislation. The method was successfully applied to real samples from different botanical and geographic origins. From them, 44 % presented residues from 0.12 to 10 μg kg^?1 of one or more analytes. The proposed method combines the advantages of a quick sample preparation step with the selectivity and sensitivity of the UHPLC-MS/MS and proved to be suitable for routine analyses.     

Validation by collaborative trial of an isotope dilution liquid chromatographic tandem mass spectrometric method to determine the content of acrylamide in roasted coffee

A method for the determination of acrylamide in roasted coffee was subjected to method validation by collaborative trial. The aim was to extend the scope of a method already standardized for the determination of acrylamide in bakery and potato products to include roasted coffee. Modifications of the already standardized method were therefore kept to a minimum. The method was based on aqueous extraction of the roasted coffee matrix and solid-phase extraction (SPE) clean-up followed by isotope dilution high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric detection (LC-MS/MS). The test portion of the sample was spiked with stable isotope-labelled acrylamide and extracted on a mechanical shaker with n-hexane and water for 1 h. The sample extract was centrifuged, the organic phase discarded, and a portion of the aqueous extract further cleaned-up by SPE on an Isolute Multimode cartridge followed by a second clean-up step on an Isolute ENV + cartridge. The volume of the acrylamide-containing fraction eluted from the second SPE column was reduced by evaporation and analysed by LC-MS/MS. Three coffee samples and one aqueous acrylamide standard solution were sent to eleven laboratories from eight European Union Member States. All samples were sent as blind duplicates. Based on the reported results, the relative standard deviations for reproducibility (RSD_R) were 11.5% at a level of 160 µg kg^?1, 10.1% at a level of 263 µg kg^?1, and 9.6% at a level of 585 µg kg^?1. The values for repeatability (RSD_r) in those materials ranged from 1.0% to 3.5%. The method performance parameters satisfied internationally accepted criteria. Hence, the method would be suitable for the enforcement of regulatory limits.     

Determination of Pydiflumetofen Residues in Some Foods of Plant and Animal Origin by QuEChERS Extraction Combined with Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass

A rapid and effective analytical method for determination of pydiflumetofen residues in some foods of plant and animal origin (grapes, tomatoes, wheat, pork, milk, and eggs) was developed using a modified QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) sample preparation procedure followed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS). Acetonitrile was served as the extraction solvent, and an octadecylsilane-dispersive solid-phase extraction (C18-dSPE) was used to cleanup the analyte, and then detected by UPLC–MS/MS. Pydiflumetofen was eluted within 3.0 min from the HSS T3 chromatography column connected to an electrospray ionization source in positive mode. The linearity of the method was excellent (R²?≥?0.992) in the pydiflumetofen concentration range of 10–1000 μg kg^?1. The recoveries of spiked pydiflumetofen (10, 100, and 1000 μg kg^?1) from the matrices were satisfactory, being between 72.0 and 110.3%, and all with relative standard deviation values of <?15.1%. The limit of quantification for pydiflumetofen was 10 μg kg^?1. This study provides a method for the routine monitoring of pydiflumetofen.     

Magnetic solid-phase extraction coupled with HPLC for the determination of Allura Red in food and beverage samples

A magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) protocol prior to HPLC was developed for the extraction and determination of Allura Red in food samples. Magnetic nanoparticles were coated with tetraethylorthosilicate and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and modified by graphene. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry were used to characterise the graphene-functionalised sorbents; and the main parameters affecting the extraction such as sample volume, temperature, pH and time were investigated and established. Under optimised conditions, the pre-concentration factor of Allura Red was 200, and the calibration curve was linear at a concentration range of 5–1500 μg kg^?1. The LOD was 2 μg kg^?1, the limit of quantification was 7 μg kg^?1, and the relative standard deviation was 3.3%. The prepared MSPE procedure was simple and fast, and it was successfully applied for the determination of Allura Red in beverages, candy and jelly.     

Determination of glyphosate,AMPA, and glufosinate in honey by online solid-phase extraction-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A simple method was developed for the simultaneous determination of glyphosate, its main degradation product (aminomethylphosphonic acid), and glufosinate in honey. Aqueous honey solutions were derivatised offline prior to direct analysis of the target analytes using online solid-phase extraction coupled to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Using the developed procedure, accuracies ranging from 95.2% to 105.3% were observed for all analytes at fortification levels of 5, 50, and 150 μg kg^?1 with intra-day precisions ranging from 1.6% to 7.2%. The limit of quantitation (LOQ) was 1 μg kg^?1 for each analyte. Two hundred honey samples were analysed for the three analytes with AMPA and glyphosate being most frequently detected (99.0% and 98.5% of samples tested, respectively). The concentrations of glyphosate were found to range from <1 to 49.8 μg kg^?1 while those of its degradation product ranged from <1 to 50.1 μg kg^?1. The ratio of glyphosate to AMPA was found to vary significantly amongst the samples where both analytes were present above the LOQ. Glufosinate was detected in 125 of 200 samples up to a maximum concentration of 33.0 μg kg^?1.     

Optimization of QuEChERS Procedure Coupled to GC-ECD for Organochlorine Pesticide Determination in Carrot Samples

An optimised version of the Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe (QuEChERS) method for simultaneous determination of 14 organochlorine pesticides in carrots was developed using gas chromatography coupled with electron-capture detector (GC-ECD) and confirmation by gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). A citrate-buffered version of QuEChERS was applied for the extraction of the organochlorine pesticides, and for the extract clean-up, primary secondary amine, octadecyl-bonded silica (C18), magnesium sulphate (MgSO₄) and graphitized carbon black were used as sorbents. The GC-ECD determination of the target compounds was achieved in less than 20 min. The limits of detection were below the EU maximum residue limits (MRLs) for carrots, 10–50 μg kg^?1, while the limit of quantification did exceed 10 μg kg^?1 for hexachlorobenzene (HCB). The introduction of a sonication step was shown to improve the recoveries. The overall average recoveries in carrots, at the four tested levels (60, 80, 100 and 140 μg kg^?1), ranged from 66 to 111 % with relative standard deviations in the range of 2–15 % (n?=?3) for all analytes, with the exception of HCB. The method has been applied to the analysis of 21 carrot samples from different Portuguese regions, and β-HCH was the pesticide most frequently found, with concentrations oscillating between less than the limit of quantification to 14.6 μg kg^?1. Only one sample had a pesticide residue (β-HCH) above the MRL, 14.6 μg kg^?1. This methodology combines the advantages of both QuEChERS and GC-ECD, producing a very rapid, sensitive and reliable procedure which can be applied in routine analytical laboratories.     

Determination of Pesticide Residues in Golden Berry (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Physalis peruviana</Emphasis> L<Emphasis Type="Italic">.</Emphasis>) by Modified QuEChERS Method and Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry

A fast and effective multiresidue method for the determination of 42 pesticides in golden berry was developed and validated. A modified QuEChERS method was established for sample preparation followed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatographic-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) determination with electrospray ionization in a triple quadrupole system. Validation results were satisfactory, since the method presented recoveries between 70 and 114 % with relative standard deviations (RSD) <20 % for blank samples spiked from 5 to 25 μg kg^?1. The method limit of detection and limit of quantification were 1.5 and 5 μg kg^?1 _, respectively. Matrix effect ranged from ?32 to 218 % and was compensated using matrix-matched calibration. Method linearity was established from 2.5 to 100 μg kg^?1 with r ² ≥ 0.99. The proposed method combines the advantages of a simple and fast sample preparation step by a modified QuEChERS method with the high selectivity and sensitivity of the UHPLC-MS/MS system using selected reaction monitoring. The method was successfully applied to commercial samples, proving to be an efficient alternative for routine analysis. From the 16 analyzed samples, 13 presented residues of one or more pesticides (carbendazim, chlorpyrifos ethyl, dimethoate, propamocarb, and tebuconazole) in the concentration range of 2.0 to 55.6 μg kg^?1.     

Simultaneous Determination of Cyadox and Its Metabolites in Chicken Tissues by LC-MS/MS

A specific and sensitive LC-MS/MS method was firstly established for the simultaneous extraction and determination of cyadox and its three main metabolites—1,4-bisdesoxycyadox, 4-desoxycyadox, and quinoxaline-2-carboxylic acid—in chicken muscle, liver, kidney, and fat tissues. Samples were subjected to extraction using ethyl acetate and followed by acetonitrile–chloroform (1:4, v/v) and further purified by Oasis mixed mode anion exchange SPE cartridge. Analysis was performed on a C₁₈ column by detection with MS in multiple-reaction monitoring mode. A gradient elution program with 0.1 % formic acid solution, acetonitrile, and 1 % formic acid (adjusted to pH 8 with ammonia) was performed at a flow rate of 0.2 mL min^?1. The correlation coefficients (r) for each calibration curve are higher than 0.99 within the experimental concentration range. The recoveries of the four target analytes at three spiking levels of 2.5, 25 and 250 μg kg^?1 were between 74.5 and 93.8 %, with relative standard deviations less than 12 %. The decision limits (CCαs) of the four analytes in chicken edible tissues ranged from 0.3 to 1.5 μg kg^?1, and the detection capabilities (CCβs) were below 2.3 μg kg^?1. The developed method demonstrated a satisfactory applicability in incurred chicken tissue samples.     

Multi-residual Pesticide Monitoring in Commercial Chinese Herbal Medicines by Gas Chromatography–Triple Quadrupole Tandem Mass Spectrometry

To investigate multi-residual pesticide monitoring data in commercial Chinese herbal medicines on major markets, an easy, rapid, and selective gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS) method was established for simultaneously determining multi-residual pesticides including organochlorine, pyrethroid, carbamate, and organophosphorus pesticides in Chinese herbal medicines. The analytical method was based on an efficient extraction procedure and further cleanup steps by solid-phase extraction columns, yielding recovery rates in the range of 70.0–120.0 % for the majority of pesticides, except for hexachlorobenze, diazinon, β-HCH, δ-HCH, and omethoate, with precision values expressed as relative standard deviation of 0.1–14.7 %. The limits of detection of the established GC/MS/MS method for all investigated pesticides ranged from 0.01 to 3.6 μg kg^?1 and limits of quantification from 0.03 to 11.88 μg kg^?1. With this validated method, multi-residual pesticides of 132 Chinese herbal medicine samples were analyzed. The monitoring results indicated that pesticide residue was found in 74 samples. In total, 51 pesticides were found with detection rate ranging from 0.76 to 18.94 %. An 82.3 % of positive pesticides were found in less than 6 % of samples. Hexachlorobenzene was found in 25 samples, quintozene in 15 samples, and acephate and simazine in 13 samples. Concentrations of pesticide residue from monitoring data obtained ranged from 0.5 to 203.5 μg kg^?1. The simple and rapid method can be used as routine analysis method in multi-residual pesticide monitoring of Chinese herbal medicines.     

Determination of 16 phthalate esters in tea samples using a modified QuEChERS sample preparation method combined with GC-MS/MS

A modified QuEChERS method for the determination of 16 phthalate esters (PAEs) in tea samples using GC-MS/MS was developed and validated. The kinds and amounts of adsorbents were optimised, and the crude extracts were purified using primary secondary amine (PSA), graphitised carbon black (GCB) and anhydrous magnesium sulphate (MgSO₄). Compared with extraction without matrix hydration, the addition of water could achieve higher extraction efficiency. The recoveries for PAEs obtained against matrix-matched standards at spiking levels of 50, 200 and 500 μg kg^–1 ranged from 84.7% to 112.7% with relative standard deviations below 20% (n = 6) for all cases. Limits of detection (0.6–36.0 μg kg^–1) and quantitation (2.0–120.0 μg kg^–1) were achieved using the proposed method for all PAEs. A total of 105 tea samples were found to be contaminated with PAEs.     

Determination of Trichothecenes in Cereal Matrices Using Subcritical Water Extraction Followed by Solid-Phase Extraction and Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Subcritical water extraction followed by solid-phase extraction and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry detection is reported for the first time for the determination of 6 trichothecenes (deoxynivalenol, deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside, 3-acetyl-deoxynivalenol, 15-acetyl-deoxynivalenol, HT-2 toxin, and T-2 toxin) from different cereals. Water with 1% formic acid was used as the extraction solvent followed by a solid-phase extraction clean-up, achieving good performance with acceptable extraction recoveries, method detection limits between 0.05 μg kg^?1 and 4.0 μg kg^?1, and method quantification limits between 0.4 μg kg^?1 and 20 μg kg^?1. The use of water as the extraction solvent allowed a selective extraction affording low matrix effect levels and the detection and quantification of natural target trichothecenes at very low concentration levels. This extraction method was applied to different cereals, a pseudocereal and an oilseed sample, of which maize, millet, and oat were contaminated by at least one trichothecene.     

Simultaneous Determination of Eight Tranquilizers in Pork by Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Electrospray Tandem Mass Spectrometry

An ultra-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for quantification of eight tranquillizers (chlorpromazine, imipramine hydrochloride, diazepam, nitrazepam, nordazepam, oxazepam, flurazepam, and haloperidol) in pork. Sample pretreatment consisted of extraction by acetonitrile, defatted by n-hexane, and further solid phase extraction by hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) extraction cartridges. The triple quadrupole mass spectrometer was operated in positive ion mode, and multiple reaction monitoring was used for drug quantification. The method was validated over the concentration ranges of 1.0 ～ 250 μg kg^?1 for the eight tranquillizers. The calibrations were performed in sample matrices, and the interference effect of sample matrices on the ionization was effectively eliminated. Good linear relationship (R ² > 0.99) was observed within the concentration range of 1.0–250 μg kg^?1. The average recoveries of the eight tranquillizers spiked at three levels ranged from 63.7 to103.2 % with the relative standard deviation below 11.8 %. The limits of detection were between 0.06 and 0.30 μg kg^?1, and the limits of quantification were between 0.2 and1.0 μg kg^?1 for all analytes in pork. This validated method has been successfully used to quantify the concentration of the eight tranquillizers in pork samples.     

Quantification of mycotoxins in vegetable oil by UPLC-MS/MS after magnetic solid-phase extraction

ABSTRACT

The detection of mycotoxin contamination in foodstuffs is highly significant for public health. Herein we report an analytical method based on magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) and UPLC-MS/MS for the simultaneous determination of mycotoxins, including fumonisins B₁ (FB₁), zearalenone (ZON) and ochratoxin A (OTA), in vegetable oil. Magnetic nanoparticles coated with double layers of silicon dioxide were synthesised and found to be an effective MSPE adsorbent for mycotoxins. The proposed MSPE procedure serves not only for sample clean-up but also for mycotoxin enrichment that enhances greatly the assay’s sensitivity. Under the selected MSPE conditions, linear matrix-matched calibration curves were obtained for mycotoxins in a concentration range from 0.178 to 625 μg kg^–1. The limits of detection were 0.210 μg kg^–1 for FB₁, 0.0800 μg kg^–1 for OTA and 1.03 μg kg^–1 for ZON. The proposed MSPE UPLC-MS/MS method was applied for the determination of mycotoxins in vegetable oil samples, including maize oil, rapeseed oil and soybean oil. ZON was detected in a maize oil at 101 μg kg^–1, which is below the European Union limit of 200 μg kg^–1 in foodstuffs.     

Co-occurrence of aflatoxins,ochratoxin A and citrinin in “egusi” melon (Colocynthis citrullus L.) seeds consumed in Ireland and the United Kingdom

The natural co-occurrence of aflatoxins (AFs), ochratoxin A (OTA) and citrinin (CIT) in melon seed samples obtained from retailers and households in Ireland and the United Kingdom (UK) was evaluated. AFs and OTA were determined by HPLC with fluorescence detection while CIT was analysed by HPLC-MS/MS. AFB₁ was detected in all (100%) samples (mean = 9.7 μg kg^?1; range = 0.2–66.5 μg kg^?1). Mean total AFs was 12.0 μg kg^?1 (range = 0.3–82 μg kg^?1). Commercially retailed samples showed a significantly higher AFB₁ contamination (p < 0.05) than the household samples. OTA occurred in 3 (13.6%) samples, while 4 (18.2%) were contaminated with CIT at very low levels. In this study, 68% of the melon seed samples were contaminated above the 2 μg kg^?1 EU limit for AFB₁ in oilseeds. These results highlight the need for the development of strategies to reduce AF contamination in “egusi” for human consumption.     

Use of Factorial Design in the Development of Multiresidue Method for Determination of Pesticide Residues in Wheat by Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry

The evaluation of analytical methods for determining the level of residues and contaminants in food samples is a continuing need. To improve this evaluation, it is necessary to investigate different extraction procedures and conditions. A 2³ factorial design was applied to establish an analytical method for determining pesticide residues in wheat by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Factors that influence the recovery of compounds, such as agitation and different processes of partition and cleanup, were investigated. Extracts were analyzed by LC-MS/MS with electrospray ionization in a triple quadrupole system. The use of ultrasonic agitation in the extraction step, deep freezing for the partition step, and C18 cleanup provided significantly better recoveries for most of the compounds evaluated. Assessment of each factor as well as interactions between factors allowed for a more effective evaluation of the parameters involved in the development of analytical methods. The validation results were satisfactory, since the method presented linearity (r ²) >0.99 for all compounds, the matrix effect ranged from 3 to 97 % and was corrected by matrix-matched standards, and recoveries ranged from 70 to 120 % with RSD ≤20 % for the spike levels of 10 and 100 μg kg^?1. The method limit of detection and limit of quantification ranged from 3.3 to 6.7 μg kg^?1 and from 10 to 20 μg kg^?1, respectively, and the expanded uncertainty ranged from 15 to 32 %. The proposed method met the criteria for determination of 42 pesticides in wheat samples and was successfully tested in real samples.     

Analysis of Ochratoxin A in Wine by High-Resolution UHPLC-MS

A method for determination of ochratoxin A (OTA) in wines using a new-solid phase extraction clean-up procedure followed with ultra performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC)-Orbitrap MS based on two scan events (full-scan Fourier transform mass spectrometer [FTMS] and higher energy-induced collision dissociation[HCD] data-dependent MS/MS) in positive ionization mode has been developed. The limit of detection (LOD) was estimated at 0.46 μg l^?1 for white wine, 0.53 and 0.54 μg l^?1 for rosé and red wines, respectively. The limit of quantification (LOQ) was estimated at 1.57 μg l^?1 in white wine, 1.77 and 1.81 μg l^?1 in rosé and red wines. Recovery experiments were carried out with spiked samples at three concentration levels (2, 5 and 10 μg l^?1). The OTA recoveries in spiked white wine samples varied from 69.6 % to 99.8 %, while the recoveries for rosé and red wine samples were in the range of 63.0–110.2 % and 63.6–103.2 %, respectively. Finally, based on the results, it is concluded that the combination of C18 cartridge with conventional particle packed columns and UHPLC LTQ-Orbitrap XL is an appropriate procedure for OTA analysis in wines.     

Analysis of Multiple β-Agonist and β-Blocker Residues in Porcine Muscle Using Improved QuEChERS Method and UHPLC-LTQ Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry

The objective of the present study is to develop and optimize a simple, high-throughput method for determining 14 β-agonists (i.e., banbuterol, brombuterol, cimaterol, cimbuterol, clenbuterol, clenpeterol, clorpenaline, isoxsuprine, mabuterol, mapenterol, ractopamine, salbutamol, terbutaline, and tulobuterol) and two β-blockers (propranolol and penbutolol) in porcine muscle. The samples were pretreated by a modified quick, easy, cheap, efficient, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) method, and analysis was carried out in a reversed phase HSS T3 C18 column using gradients of acetonitrile and 5 mmol L^?1 ammonium acetate (0.1 % formic acid) solution for elution. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-LTQ Orbitrap MS, resolution 60,000) was used for qualification and quantification of the 16 target compounds. Under optimized conditions, the limits of detection and quantification obtained ranged from 0.17 to 1.67 μg kg^?1 and from 0.56 to 5.00 μg kg^?1, respectively. Recoveries for spiking levels of 5.0, 10.0, and 20.0 μg kg^?1 ranged from 62.4 to 121.9 %, from 60.4 to 104.3 %, and from 66.5 to 121.3 %, respectively. The relative standard deviations obtained were lower than 20 % for all spiking levels assayed. The proposed method was applied successfully in sample analysis, and satisfactory results were obtained.