Determination of 16 perfluorinated alkyl substances in food packaging materials by solid phase extraction-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A method for the simultaneous determination of 16 perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in food packaging materials by solid phase extraction-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (SPE-LC-MS/MS) was developed. Comparison and optimization of the sample pretreatment methods, mass spectrometry and other conditions were carried out. The samples were ultrasonically extracted with methanol, followed by clean-up using an Oasis WAX SPE column. The analytes were separated on a reversed phase Atlantis T3 C-18 column and eluted gradiently with acetonitrile and 5 mmol/L ammonium acetate. The analytes were quantified using isotope internal standard and isotope external standard calibration curve method. The linear calibration curves were obtained in the range of 0. 5-20. 0 mu g/L with the linear relative coefficients more than 0. 99. The recoveries were in the range of 68. 6%-109. 2% and the relative standard deviations (RSDs) were ranged from 2. 5% to 18. 1% (n = 6). The limits of detection (LODs) and the limits of quantification (LOQs) for the PFAS were 0. 2-0. 5 mu g/kg and 0. 5-1. 0 mu g/kg, respectively. This method is simple, rapid, accurate and can be used in the determination of PFAS in food packaging materials.