Optimization of a SPME/GC/MS Method for the Simultaneous Determination of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products in Waters

A headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) method coupled with gas chromatography and MS detection (GC/MS) was optimized for the simultaneous determination of 21 target Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) in water samples. The analytes included fragrances, UV-filters, antiseptics, estrogens, anti-inflammatory drugs, and pesticides. An on-fiber SPME derivatization, using silyl reagents, was performed for the analysis of more polar acidic compounds. An experimental design approach was applied to systematically investigate and optimize the operative parameters affecting the extraction recovery, namely: extraction temperature and time, derivatization time, desorption temperature and time. The optimum operating conditions were: extraction time of 125 min at a temperature of 40 degrees C; derivatization time of 30.5 min; desorption time of 2 min at a temperature of 300 degrees C. Under these conditions, good reproducibility was assessed as RDS% values <= 10% for underivatized PPCPs and <= 20% for derivatized compounds. The method detection limits (LOD) were between 0.7 and 9.0 ng L-1, with the highest values in the range 2.5-9.0 ng L-1 for the derivatized analytes. Method accuracy was evaluated on spiked tap water samples: recoveries varied from 85 to 103% and from 75 to 110% for non-derivatized and derivatized compounds, respectively.