On-line MSPD-SPE-HPLC/FLD analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in bovine tissues

Abstract A fast method was optimized and validated for simultaneous trace determination of four polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: benzo[ a ]anthracene, benzo[ b ]fluoranthene, benzo[ k ]fluoranthene and benzo[ a ]pyrene in bovine tissues. The determination was performed by matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) coupled on-line to solid phase extraction (SPE) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection (FLD). The sample was dispersed on C 18 silica sorbent and then the on-line MSPD-SPE-HPLC/FLD method was applied. Several parameters were optimized: cleaning and elution sequences applied to the MSPD cartridge, the flow rate and dilution of extract used for SPE loading. The on-line method was validated over a concentration range of 0.1–0.6 ng g −1 obtaining good linearity (r ⩾ 0.998) and precision (RSD) ⩽ 10%. Recovery ranged from 96 to 99% and the limits of detection were 0.012 ng g −1 . This methodology was applied to liver samples from unhealthy animals. The results demonstrate that MSDP-SPE-HPLC/FLD method provides reliable, sensitive, accurate and fast data to the food control.