A new method for the determination of benzophenone-UV filters in human serum samples by dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Benzophenone-UV filters (BP-UV filters) are extensively used in cosmetics products to avoid damaging effects of UV radiation. Despite their low toxicity, many research papers indicate that BP-UV filters are weak endocrine disruptors (EDCs). There are clear relationships between BP-UV filters exposure and several health disorders such as carcinogenesis and malformations observed in animals. In the present work, a new sample treatment procedure by dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) is proposed for the extraction of six BPs, namely benzophenone-1 (BP-1), benzophenone-2 (BP-2), benzophenone-3 (BP-3), benzophenone-6 (BP-6), benzophenone-8 (BP-8) and 4-hydroxybenzophenone (4-OH-BP), in human serum samples, followed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS) analysis. The method involves an enzymatic treatment to quantify the total content (free plus conjugated species) of BP-UV filters in serum. The extraction parameters were accurately optimized using multivariate optimization approach. Benzophenone-d10 (BP-d10) was used as surrogate. Limits of quantification (LOQs) ranged from 0.4 to 0.9 ng mL−1 and inter-day precision (evaluated as relative standard deviation) ranged from 1.9% to 13.1%. The method was validated using matrix-matched calibration and a recovery assay. Recovery rates for spiked samples ranged from 97% to 106%, and acceptable linearity was obtained up to concentrations of 40 ng mL−1. The method was applied to the determination of the target compounds in human serum samples from 20 randomly selected anonymous individuals.