An online solid phase extraction-liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for the analysis of parabens in urban waters

Abstract

In this work, we report a method to quantify methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben and butylparaben in urban waters of Sao Carlos (Sao Paulo State, Brazil) by online solid phase extraction-liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (SPE-LC-MS/MS) system. The method achieved ng L-1 limits with good accuracy and precision (internal standards for each paraben were used). The total run cycle time takes 9.5 min per sample including the extraction, cleanup and columns conditioning cycles, lower collection volumes of urban water and solvent usage. The SPE cartridge applied showed robustness allowing over 500 sample injections (800 μL each) with good chromatographic performance. This study findings included the detection of parabens in samples in São Carlos.