Fast determination of phthalates in mussel samples by micro-matrix solid-phase dispersion (micro-MSPD) coupled with GC–MS/MS

Abstract

A fast, effective and low cost sample preparation method based on miniaturized matrix solid-phase dispersion (micro-MSPD) combined with gas chromatography coupled to tandem triple-quadrupole-mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS) has been developed for the determination of six phthalate diesters (DMP, DEP, DBP, BzBP, DEHP and DnOP) in mussel samples. The six target compounds have been included in the list of priority pollutants by United States Environmental Protection Agency. The extraction step was optimized on real spiked mussel coming from Galician Rías by means of a factorial design. The final procedure involved the use of 0.45 g of sample, 0.5 g of dispersant agent (Florisil) and 3 mL of organic solvent (ethyl acetate). The optimized method was validated giving satisfactory analytical performance, low detection limits (0.09 to 6.73 ng g−1 dw) and high recoveries (93 and 114%). The validated method was applied to four real mussel samples coming from Galician Rías.