Optimization of double-vortex-assisted matrix solid-phase dispersion for the rapid determination of paraben preservative residues in leafy vegetables

• Published in: RSC advances 2020-09, Vol.1 (58), p.35557-35564
• Main Authors: Yang, Chun-Ju, Chung, Wu-Hsun, Ding, Wang-Hsien
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemistry; Design optimization; Dispersion; Ions; Mass spectrometry; Mortars (comminutors); Preservatives; Quadrupoles; Residues; Response surface methodology; Solid phases; Toxicity; Vegetables
• ISSN: 2046-2069; 2046-2069
• DOI: 10.1039/d0ra05658h

The extensive use of preservatives during the growth, transport and storage of vegetables has been a concern because of their known or suspected toxicity that jeopardizes human health. This paper reports the development of a technique that rapidly determines the presence of five paraben preservative residues in leafy vegetables using double-vortex-assisted matrix solid-phase dispersion (DVA-MSPD) and UHPLC-electrospray ionization(−)-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry detection. We simplified the original MSPD technique by eliminating the use of mortar/pestle and SPE-column procedures. The DVA-MSPD factors were screened by a multilevel categorical design, and then optimized by Box-Behnken Design plus response surface methodology. The limits of quantification were 1.2-1.8 ng g −1 (dry weight). The satisfactory average recoveries were 85-104% with RSDs less than 10%. The developed method was successfully employed for the rapid determination of selected paraben residues at trace-level in leafy vegetable samples. A rapid and simply DVA-MSPD coupled UHPLC-ESI(−)-QToF-MS was developed to determine parabens residues in leafy vegetable samples.