Solid-phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography–Mass spectrometry as an advanced method for the determination of bioplasticizers in environmental and bottled water samples

The aim of this work was the development of a novel analytical method for the extraction, separation, and determination of 21 bioplasticizers in water using direct immersion – solid phase microextraction in combination with gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (DI-SPME-GC–MS/MS) to monitor these substances in the environment at low concentration levels. Incubation, extraction, and desorption parameters of the SPME procedure were optimised. All solutions were incubated in a heating chamber for 10 min at 70 °C, followed by SPME extraction for 60 minutes using 50/30 µm DVB/CAR/PDMS fiber. Thermal desorption followed at 270 °C for 3 min. Bioplasticizers were determined by GC–MS/MS. The method was validated, with LODs in range of 0.3 – 3 ng/mL, and LOQs 1 – 10 ng/mL for investigated bioplasticizers. The new method was applied for the analysis of real water samples. Positive results were found in real samples of agricultural water and bottled water in concentrations over 1 ng/mL. Five of the identified bioplasticizers were determined at concentrations in the range 1.43 – 3.44 ng/mL.