Analysis of 19 PCB congeners in catfish tissue using a modified QuEChERS method with GC–MS/MS

• Published in: Food chemistry 2016-02, Vol.192, p.900-906
• Main Authors: Chamkasem, Narong, Lee, Sookwang, Harmon, Tiffany
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Catfish; Catfishes - metabolism; Gas chromatography; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry - methods; PCB congeners residue analysis; Pesticide Residues - analysis; Polychlorinated Biphenyls - analysis; Polychlorinated Biphenyls - chemistry; QuEChERS; Seafood - analysis; Tandem mass spectrometry; Triple quadrupole
• ISSN: 0308-8146; 1873-7072
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2015.07.088

•A simple and reliable procedure for monitoring 19 toxic polychlorinated biphenyl in catfish was validated.•The method increase sample throughput by using quick extraction and sample cleanup approach of QuEChERS method.•The method reduces cost of using toxic solvent, labor, and lab supplies.•GC–MS/MS provide excellent selectivity and sensitivity with an LOQ below 1ng/g. A simple approach to determine 19 PCB congeners in catfish tissue was presented. A modified QuEChERS method employing high solvent to sample ratio 10:1 was used to improve the extraction recovery of 19 PCB congeners. After salting out by shaking with anhydrous magnesium sulfate and sodium chloride, 1mL of acetonitrile extract was pipetted into a 2-mL centrifuge tube containing anhydrous magnesium sulfate, primary secondary amine sorbent, and C-18 sorbent. The tube was then shaken and centrifuged to absorb fat and fatty acid residue present in the acetonitrile extract. The acetonitrile extract was analyzed by GC–MS/MS. The excellent sensitivity of GC–MS/MS allows for the direct injection of the samples to detect the low level of the PCB congeners. The method therefore is high throughput, uses fewer consumable lab supplies, and provides excellent sensitivity with an LOQ below 1ng/g.