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Validation of a simultaneous method for determining polycyclic aromatic compounds and alkylated isomers in biota
Author(s) -
Idowu Ifeoluwa,
Francisco Olga,
Thomas Philippe J.,
Johnson Wesley,
Marvin Chris,
Stetefeld Jörg,
Tomy Gregg T.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
rapid communications in mass spectrometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.528
H-Index - 136
eISSN - 1097-0231
pISSN - 0951-4198
DOI - 10.1002/rcm.8035
Subject(s) - chemistry , chromatography , detection limit , mass spectrometry , triple quadrupole mass spectrometer , repeatability , selected reaction monitoring , analyte , certified reference materials , gas chromatography , mytilus , pyrene , tandem mass spectrometry , environmental chemistry , organic chemistry , oceanography , geology
Rationale There is a need for a validated method to improve detection limits and simultaneously quantify polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs, both parent and alkylated homologues) in biota by gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry because of their environmental significance. The validation of the method was performed in accordance to the Eurachem Guide to Quality in Analytical Chemistry. Methods Gas chromatography coupled with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer used in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode was used for detection and quantification. Retention time windows and selective MRM ion transitions were optimized for a suite of PACs. The developed method was validated by comparing our measurements made on a reference material of freeze‐dried mussel tissue ( Mytilus edulis ) with the certified values. Results Linearity was observed between 10–1000 pg/μL (PAHs) and 2‐500 pg/μL (alkyl‐PACs including S‐based PACs). The overall mean (±SD) for the limits of detection of 43 PACs studied were 0.305 ± 0.276 and 2.69 ± 1.10 ng/g, respectively. For the 14 certified target analytes, the percent relative error ranged from 1.3 to 33%. With the exception of benzo( a )pyrene, the between‐day and within‐day repeatability for all target analytes was lower than 15% RSD. Conclusions This is the first report of a fully validated method to simultaneously quantify PACs in biota performed in an ISO accredited laboratory.