Quantitative analysis method for isoeugenol in fishery products using gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Abstract

Isoeugenol, an anesthetic used in marine products, has different regulations in each country and there is controversy regarding the degree of risk. Therefore, it is necessary to establish reliable analytical methods for detection and quantification. Gas chromatography (GC) coupled with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) operated in electron ionization mode (EI) is suitable for the analysis of isoeugenol, which has volatile properties. A method determining isoeugenol, a widely used fish anesthetic, was established using GC-MS/MS. The sample preparation method was achieved by acetonitrile extraction and clean-up through d-SPE (Dispersive-Solid Phase Extraction, 150 mg of MgSO4, 25 mg of Primary Secondary Amine (PSA), 25 mg of C18). Validation was performed on flatfish, eel, and shrimp. The linearity of isoeugenol in the range of 2.5–80 µg ·L -1 showed a coefficient of determination (R2) of more than 0.9987. In addition, the recovery rate and CV at concentration 3 were 80.8-111.5% and less than 8.9%, satisfying the CODEX guidelines. This method has demonstrated high sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility and accurately and quantitatively determines the residues of isoeugenol.