A vortex-assisted MSPD method for triclosan extraction from fish tissues with determination by LC-MS/MS

Abstract

In this study, a simple, rapid and sensitive analytical method for the detection of TCS from Poecilia vivipara tissues (muscle, gills, brain, liver, gonads and whole fish) was developed. A matrix solid phase dispersion (MSPD) extraction method followed by analysis with a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) system was developed and the multivariate statistical approach (experimental design) was applied to optimize the extraction conditions. The results showed that the method is accurate, robust and highly reproducible, since high recoveries were achieved. The analytical method showed high extraction yields for the determination of this compound in a complex matrix such as tissue. Moreover, the extraction procedure is very fast and it is possible to perform on a small sample aliquot. Besides, extraction and cleanup are performed in a single step. The LOQ value in fish tissue was 0.083 μg g⁻¹ and the LOD was 0.016 μg g⁻¹. The RSDs for repeatability and intermediate precision studies were in the range of 1.1 to 8.9% and from 0.2% to 8.9%, respectively. Adequate linearity with correlation coefficients (r) higher than 0.99 was obtained for the range of 0.005 to 0.25 mg L⁻¹. Quantitative recoveries (≥80%) and satisfactory precision (average 9%) were obtained. The application of the vortex-assisted MSPD method to the analysis of real samples shows TCS in some fish liver and fish gill samples at trace levels.