title: A new method for the determination of benzophenone-UV filters in human serum samples by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
abstract: Benzophenone-UV filters (BP-UV filters) are extensively used in cosmetics products to avoid damaging effects of UV radiation. Despite their low toxicity, many research papers indicate that BP-UV filters are weak endocrine disruptors (EDCs). There are clear relationships between BP-UV filters exposure and several health disorders such as carcinogenesis and malformations observed in animals. In the present work, a new sample treatment procedure by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) is proposed for the extraction of six BPs, namely benzophenone-1 (BP-1), benzophenone-2 (BP-2), benzophenone-3 (BP-3), benzophenone-6 (BP-6), benzophenone-8 (BP-8) and 4-hydroxybenzophenone (4-OH-BP), in human serum samples, followed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) analysis. The method involves an enzymatic treatment to quantify the total content (free plus conjugated species) of BP-UV filters in serum. The extraction parameters were accurately optimized using multivariate optimization approach. Benzophenone-d₁₀ (BP-d₁₀) was used as surrogate. Limits of quantification (LOQs) ranged from 0.4 to 0.9 ng mL(-1) and inter-day precision (evaluated as relative standard deviation) ranged from 1.9% to 13.1%. The method was validated using matrix-matched calibration and a recovery assay. Recovery rates for spiked samples ranged from 97% to 106%, and acceptable linearity was obtained up to concentrations of 40 ng mL(-1). The method was applied to the determination of the target compounds in human serum samples from 20 randomly selected anonymous individuals.
authors.affiliation: Research Group of Analytical Chemistry and Life Sciences, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Campus of Fuentenueva, University of Granada, E-18071 Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vela-Soria
authors.affiliation: Research Group of Analytical Chemistry and Life Sciences, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Campus of Fuentenueva, University of Granada, E-18071 Granada, Spain. Electronic address: oballest@ugr.es.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ballesteros
authors.affiliation: Research Group of Analytical Chemistry and Life Sciences, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Campus of Fuentenueva, University of Granada, E-18071 Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zafra-Gómez
authors.affiliation: Research Group of Analytical Chemistry and Life Sciences, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Campus of Fuentenueva, University of Granada, E-18071 Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ballesteros
authors.affiliation: Research Group of Analytical Chemistry and Life Sciences, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Campus of Fuentenueva, University of Granada, E-18071 Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Navalón
mesh_terms: D001577:Benzophenones / Q000097:blood*; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D059627:Liquid Phase Microextraction / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D001577:Benzophenones
keywords: Benzophenone-UV filters; DLLME; Human serum analysis; UPLC–MS/MS