Fast Analysis of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in Eggs Using Selective Pressurized Liquid Extraction Coupled with Online GPC-GC/MS
Abstract This article reports the applicability of online gel permeation chromatography (GPC)-GC/MS for the determination of seven predominant polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in eggs to effectively eliminate matrix interference. Selective pressurized liquid extraction using acidic alumina as a fat retainer was used for cleanup of the PBDEs in eggs. It was selected because of its advantages: simpler operation, minimum time spent on sample handing to get fat-free extracts, and low volume of solvent consumption. After concentration, the extract was directly injected for online GC/MS operated in the negative ion chemical ionization mode with a 15 m capillary column. Recoveries of spiked samples were between 75.1 and 102.0, with RSDs (n = 3) ranging from 3.6911.47 when spiked at levels of 2 and 20 ng/g, dry mass. The LOD varied from 0.2534 ng/g, dry mass. The proposed method was proven to be rapid, efficient, and reliable for the trace determination of PBDEs in eggs.