A green analytical method for the simultaneous determination of 17 perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in human serum and semen by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS)

• Published in: Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis 2024-08, Vol.246, p.116203-116203, Article 116203
• Main Authors: Di Giorgi, Alessandro, Basile, Giuseppe, Bertola, Francesco, Tavoletta, Francesco, Busardò, Francesco Paolo, Tini, Anastasio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological matrices; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid - methods; Environmental Pollutants - analysis; Environmental Pollutants - blood; Fluorocarbons - analysis; Fluorocarbons - blood; Green Chemistry Technology - methods; Human biomonitoring; Humans; LC-MS/MS; Limit of Detection; Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Male; Perfluoroalkyl substances; Reproducibility of Results; Semen; Semen - chemistry; Serum; Tandem Mass Spectrometry - methods
• ISSN: 0731-7085; 1873-264X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2024.116203

The ubiquity of perfluoroalkyl substances has raised concerns about the unintended consequences of PFAS exposure on human health. In the present study, an eco-friendly ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was developed for the simultaneous determination of 17 PFAS in human serum and semen samples. QuEChERS salts MgSO4:NaCl 4:1 (w/w) were used for the extraction. The separation of analytes was performed on an ACQUITY BEH C18 column (100 × 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm), using water:methanol 95:5 and methanol as mobile phases A and B, respectively, both containing 2 mM ammonium acetate. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) in negative ion mode was used, selecting two transitions for each analyte, except for perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) and perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA). The analytical method was validated according to the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Sciences guidelines and AGREE approach software was used to evaluate the greenness of the method. The developed procedure was applied to the analysis of 10 paired human serum and semen samples, proving the suitability in high throughput laboratories due to the easy preparation and the reduced volume of toxic solvents. Moreover, it allows to perform further investigation on the correlation between serum and semen PFAS concentration, focusing on male reproductive system correlated pathologies, such as male infertility. •A green method for the determination of PFAS in serum and semen was developed.•AGREE score showed the environmental-friendly aspects of the procedure.•Serum and semen allowed the biomonitoring human PFAS exposure.•Several studies proved the correlation between PFAS exposure and human pathologies.