title: Optimization of large-volume injection for the determination of polychlorinated biphenyls in children's fast-food menus by low-resolution mass spectrometry.
abstract: This study includes the determination of five indicator polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) (52, 101, 153, 138, and 180), six non-ortho PCBs (35, 80, 81, 77, 126, and 169), and two mono-ortho PCBs (28 and 118) in fast food for children. A freeze-dried sample of 10 g is extracted by using pressurized n-hexane in two 5 min cycles at 120 degrees C and 100 mbar. Fatty extracts were cleaned up by means of acetonitrile/n-hexane partitioning and gel-permeation chromatography. The fractionation of non-ortho, mono-ortho, and indicator PCBs was made on graphitized carbon solid-phase extraction cartridges by using n-hexane, n-hexane/toluene (99:1, v/v), and toluene as elution solvents. Gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry and large-volume injections with a programmed-temperature vaporizer (PTV-LV) were used to increase sensitivity and selectivity of the PCB determination. The PTV-LV injection settings, that is, vaporizing temperature, vaporizing time, and purge flow, were optimized by using a central composite design. A 15-40 times increased sensitivity was reached as compared with that obtained with the conventional 1 microL splitless injection. The limits of detection achieved were between 0.3 and 1.2 pg/g, and repeatability data, as relative standard deviation varied, ranged from 2 to 9% for the 0.05 ng/mL PCB level.
authors.affiliation: Analytical Chemistry Department, University of Valencia, Edifici Jeroni Muñoz, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Francesc A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Esteve-Turrillas
authors.forename: Emilie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Caupos
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Llorca
authors.forename: Agustín
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pastor
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de la Guardia
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D005504:Food Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006801:Humans; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis*; D011786:Quality Control; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry
chemical_list: D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls