title: QuEChERS-based extraction procedure for multifamily analysis of phytohormones in vegetables by UHPLC-MS/MS.
abstract: A new method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous analysis of different phytohormones (auxins, cytokinins and gibberellins) in vegetables. The compounds were extracted using a QuEChERS-based method (acronym of quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe). The separation and determination of the selected phytohormones were carried out by ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS), using electrospray ionization source (ESI) in positive and negative ion modes. The method was validated and mean recoveries were evaluated at three concentration levels (50, 100 and 250 μg/kg), ranging from 75 to 110% at the three levels assayed. Intra- and interday precisions, expressed as relative standard deviations (RSDs), were lower than 20 and 25%, respectively. Limits of quantification (LOQs) were equal or lower than 10 μg/kg. The developed procedure was applied to seven courgette samples, and naphthylacetic acid, naphthylacetamide and benzyladenine were found in some of the analysed samples.
authors: Group Analytical Chemistry of Contaminants, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Almeria University, Almeria, Spain.
authors: María Isabel Alarcón
authors: MI
authors: Flores
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Romero-González
authors: Antonia Garrido
authors: AG
authors: Frenich
authors: José Luis Martínez
authors: JL
authors: Vidal