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Optimization of GC-MS/MS for the Determination of Dioxins and PCBs in Feed and Food and Comparison of Results with GC-HRMS

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Dioxin and Related Compounds

Part of the book series: The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry ((HEC,volume 49))

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Abstract

Until recently, the analysis of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in feed and food was generally performed by gas chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS) due to its superior resolution and sensitivity compared to the then available gas chromatographic techniques with other detectors. However, in the past few years the technology of GC coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) has made great progress and modern GC-MS/MS systems nowadays reach similar limits of detection as GC-HRMS systems. This paper describes the step-wise optimization of GC-MS/MS variables for the sensitive and selective measurement of dioxins and PCBs in feed and food to comply with the performance criteria set by the EU Commission for confirmatory methods. The developed method was shown to give linear response over the required concentration range and good repeatability. Analyses of samples from official feed and food control demonstrated that a surveillance of the legal limits for dioxins and PCBs in feed and food is easily achievable. The generated quantitative results for dioxins and PCBs are compared with those data obtained for the same samples by GC-HRMS and show good agreement. As the purchase and running costs for GC-MS/MS systems constitute only a fractional amount compared to GC-HRMS instruments, the application of GC-MS/MS represents a cost-effective alternative for GC-HRMS to reliably and unequivocally confirm low levels of dioxins and PCBs in feed and food.

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Abbreviations

AL:

Action level

Dioxins:

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans

DL-PCBs:

Dioxin-like PCBs

ECNI:

Electron capture negative ionization

EI:

Electron ionization

EU:

European Union

EU-RL:

European Union Reference Laboratory

eV:

Electron volt

fg:

Femtogram

g:

Gram

GC:

Gas chromatography

HRMS:

High resolution mass spectrometry

LOD:

Limit of detection

LOQ:

Limit of quantification

mg:

Milligram

ML:

Maximum level

MRM:

Multiple reaction monitoring

MS:

Mass spectrometry

MS/MS:

Tandem mass spectrometry

μg:

Microgram

msec:

Millisecond

NDL-PCBs:

Non-dioxin-like PCBs

ng:

Nanogram

NRL:

National Reference Laboratory

PCBs:

Polychlorinated biphenyls

PCDDs:

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins

PCDFs:

Polychlorinated dibenzofurans

pg:

Picogram

TEQ:

Toxicity equivalents

V:

Volt

WHO:

World Health Organization

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Acknowledgements

The meticulous processing of the food and feed samples by Ludger Wessel, Matthias Keitlinghaus, and Markus Stening as well as the skillful operation of the GC-HRMS and GC-MS/MS systems by Lothar Bathe and Ursula Möhlenkamp are gratefully acknowledged. We are also grateful to Chris Sandy for his great support in setting up the GC-MS/MS system and his valuable technical advice.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chemisches und Veterinäruntersuchungsamt Münsterland-Emscher-Lippe (CVUA-MEL), Joseph-König-Straße 40, 48147, Münster, Germany

    Peter Fürst & Thorsten Bernsmann

  2. Niedersächsisches Landesamt für Verbraucherschutz und Lebensmittelsicherheit (LAVES), Futtermittelinstitut Heckenweg 4/6, 21680, Stade, Germany

    Dominik Baumeister

Authors
  1. Peter Fürst
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  2. Thorsten Bernsmann
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  3. Dominik Baumeister
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Peter Fürst .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, Ontario, Canada

    Mehran Alaee

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Fürst, P., Bernsmann, T., Baumeister, D. (2016). Optimization of GC-MS/MS for the Determination of Dioxins and PCBs in Feed and Food and Comparison of Results with GC-HRMS. In: Alaee, M. (eds) Dioxin and Related Compounds. The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry, vol 49. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/698_2016_460

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