Residue analysis of thyreostats in baby foods via matrix solid phase dispersion and liquid chromatography - dual-polarity electrospray - tandem mass spectrometry.
This paper describes a rapid method for confirming residues of thyreostats in meat-based baby foods by using liquid chromatography - dual polarity electrospray - tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ES(±)-MS/MS). Six thioureylenes, belonging to the group of thiouracil and imidazole, were selected for this work: thiouracil (TU), methylthiouracil (MTU), propylthiouracil (PTU), phenylthiouracil (PhTU), mercaptobenzimidazole (MBI) and tapazole (TAP). The amphoteric nature of these compounds allows their electrospray detection in both positive and negative ionisation. Nevertheless, MS detection is not favoured by their low molecular weights, while their chromatographic retention is also thwarted by their high polarity. A pentafluorophenyl (PFP) core-shell phase column was selected to avoid peak asymmetry or peak splitting, and a dual-polarity ionisation method was optimised to obtain a sensitivity as high as possible. The method was validated according to the Commission Decision 657/2002/EC. A simple and fast procedure based on matrix solid phase dispersion (MSPD) was optimised to extract analytes from baby foods with recoveries exceeding 82%. Limit of decision (CCα) and detection capability (CCβ) were lower than the permissible maximum concentration (10 ng g-1). The validated method was then applied to assess the potential occurrence of the six selected thyreostats in nine commercial products. All the samples were found free of contamination.
a Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences , 'Sapienza' University of Rome , Rome , Italy.
Alessandra
A
Gentili
a Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences , 'Sapienza' University of Rome , Rome , Italy.
Valeria
V
De Pratti
a Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences , 'Sapienza' University of Rome , Rome , Italy.
Fulvia
F
Caretti
a Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences , 'Sapienza' University of Rome , Rome , Italy.
Virginia
V
Pérez-Fernández
a Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences , 'Sapienza' University of Rome , Rome , Italy.
Pierpaolo
P
Tomai
a Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences , 'Sapienza' University of Rome , Rome , Italy.
Roberta
R
Curini
a Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences , 'Sapienza' University of Rome , Rome , Italy.
Lucia
L
Mainero Rocca
D013956:Antithyroid Agents / Q000032:analysis*; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D004350:Drug Residues / Q000032:analysis*; D005504:Food Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food / Q000032:analysis*; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry
D013956:Antithyroid Agents
Thyreostats; liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry; matrix solid phase dispersion; meat-based baby foods