UPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis of Sudan dyes and Para Red in food

An analytical method for the simultaneous determination of Sudan dyes (Sudan Red G, Sudan I, Sudan II, Sudan III, Sudan Red 7B and Sudan IV) and Para Red in food by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS/MS) was developed. Samples were extracted with acetonitrile, and water added into the extract. The supernatant was analysed by UPLC-MS/MS after refrigeration and centrifugation. The sample was separated on an Acquity BEH C18 column, and detected by MS/MS with the multiple reaction monitoring mode. Matrix calibration was used for quantitative testing of the method. The linear matrix calibrations of Sudan dyes and Para Red were 2-50 and 10-250 ng g-1, respectively, and the regression coefficients were 0.9945. The recoveries were 83.4-112.3% with good coefficients of variation of 2.0-10.8%. The limits of detection were between 0.3 and 1.4 ng g-1 for the six Sudan dyes, and between 3.7 and 6.0 ng g-1 for Para Red. The limits of quantification were between 0.9 and 4.8 ng g-1 for the six Sudan dyes, and between 12.2 and 19.8 ng g-1 for Para Red.