Comparison of sample preparation approaches and validation of an extraction method for nitrosatable pesticides and metabolites in human serum and urine analyzed by liquid chromatography - Orbital ion trap mass spectrometry

In the acidic environment of the stomach, nitrosatable pesticide residues may react with nitrite to form potentially carcinogenic pesticide-associated N-nitroso compounds (PANOCs). The objective of this study was to develop a method for the analysis of 10 nitrosatable pesticides and breakdown products in human serum and urine. Three sample preparation methods were evaluated for extraction of target analytes from the biomatrices. Deproteinization by methanol for 300-μL aliquots of serum with a final extract volume of 225 μL resulted in excessive ion enhancement of some analytes and suppression of others. Three types of solid-phase extraction cartridges were tested for optimal analyte retention from 200-μL aliquots of serum with a final extract volume of 400 μL; this approach resulted in significant analyte loss for some compounds. The Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe approach resulted in a suitable method for extraction of the analytes from each biomatrix. Biofluid samples (500 μL) were spiked to 100 μg L−1 with analytical standards and extracted using 500 μL of acetonitrile (ACN) with 4% acetic acid (AcOH) for serum and 0.1% AcOH in ACN for urine. For extraction, 200 mg magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) and 50 mg sodium acetate were added for serum and 200 mg MgSO4 and 50 mg sodium chloride were added for urine. Final extract volumes for both biomatrices using the QuEChERS method was 400 μL after dilution. Samples were analyzed via ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography/high-resolution accurate mass orbital ion trap mass spectrometry. Mean recoveries for target analytes in serum and urine ranged between 74 and 120% (%RSD