Multi-residue screening of chlorinated and brominated compounds from aquaculture samples using matrix solid-phase dispersion—gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

An effective multiresidual method for the trace analysis of fifteen compounds from a diverse group of pesticides, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs) and polybrominated biphenyl (PBBs) in aquaculture feed is described. The analytical procedure is based on the matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) of feed sample and subsequent elution with hexane. The MSPD process was evaluated using an asymmetrical experimental design 2332//9. Factors such as C18 sorbent amount, kind of adsorbents, solvent volume and elution mode were considered. The results suggest that the operational MSPD conditions are elution with pressure, 1 g of C18, basic alumina as adsorbent and 30 mL of hexane. The overall method including MSPD procedure and GC coupled to mass spectrometry (MS/MS) has been applied to several samples of aquaculture feed and marine species. Precision and accuracy of the analytical method were determined using the reference material from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA-406), showing a good agreement to the referenced values.