Analysis of UV ink photoinitiators in packaged food by fast liquid chromatography at sub-ambient temperature coupled to tandem mass spectrometry

J Chromatogr A. 2011 Jan 21;1218(3):459-66. doi: 10.1016/j.chroma.2010.11.054. Epub 2010 Nov 27.

Abstract

A fast method of liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was developed for the analysis of eleven UV ink photoinitiators in packaged food. Chromatographic separation was achieved in a pentafluorophenylpropyl (PFPP) column at 5°C and acetonitrile:25 mM formic acid-ammonium formate (pH 2.7) in gradient elution. To reduce sample treatment, a QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe) method for the extraction and clean-up of UV photoinitiators in packaged foods was evaluated. Triple quadrupole working in H-SRM on Q1 mode was used for both quantitation and confirmation purposes and the most intense and selective transitions were chosen. Quality parameters of the developed QuEChERS LC-MS/MS method were established and applied for the analysis of photoinitiators in food packaged at ng kg(-1) levels.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Benzene Derivatives / analysis*
  • Benzene Derivatives / chemistry
  • Benzoates / analysis*
  • Benzoates / chemistry
  • Chromatography, Liquid / methods*
  • Cold Temperature
  • Food Packaging*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Photosensitizing Agents / analysis*
  • Photosensitizing Agents / chemistry
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry / methods*
  • Ultraviolet Rays

Substances

  • Benzene Derivatives
  • Benzoates
  • Photosensitizing Agents