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Simultaneous measurement of methyl tert ‐butyl ether and tert ‐butyl alcohol in human serum by headspace solid‐phase microextraction gas chromatography–mass spectrometry
Author(s) -
Zhang Rui,
Mei Yong,
Liu Yanru,
Dai Hao,
Xia Hongfang,
Zhang Xin,
Wu Yukang,
Gu Yingying,
Peng Xiaowu
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
biomedical chromatography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.4
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1099-0801
pISSN - 0269-3879
DOI - 10.1002/bmc.3448
Subject(s) - chemistry , chromatography , mass spectrometry , gas chromatography , gas chromatography–mass spectrometry , metabolite , solid phase microextraction , ether , extraction (chemistry) , methyl tert butyl ether , alcohol , detection limit , sample preparation , reproducibility , organic chemistry , biochemistry
The abundant production of methyl tert ‐butyl ether (MTBE) and its widespread use have led to an increase in the potential for human exposure. This work described a simple, fast, sensitive, reliable and low‐cost method for the simultaneous measurement of MTBE and its metabolite, tert ‐butyl alcohol (TBA) in human serum by headspace solid‐phase microextraction gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Extraction conditions were optimized and 40 °C, 10 min, 250 rpm and 0.3 g NaCl for a 1 mL sample were the optimal conditions. This method showed good analytical performance in terms of sensitivity with limits of detection in serum (1 mL) of 0.03 µg/L for MTBE and 0.05 µg/L for TBA, accuracy (mean recovery values) from 75.8% to 85.8%, precision (relative standard deviations) <10% and sample stability (biodegradation) <10% after 28 days. A verification experiment proved the reproducibility and stability of this method as well. Finally the method was used to detect 212 specimens, and the internal dose levels for MTBE in human serum were presented in China. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.