Determination of 4(5)-methylimidazole in foods and beverages by modified QuEChERS extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis. (15th May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wu, Chunjian; Wang, Li; Li, He; Yu, Shujuan
• Is Part Of: Food chemistry. Volume 280(2019)
• Page Start: 278
• Page End: 285
• Publication Date: 2019-05-15
• Subjects: 4(5)-Methylimidazole -- Maillard reaction -- Dispersive solid-phase extraction -- Coffee -- Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry; Food -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Food -- Composition -- Periodicals; 664
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2018.12.065
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0308-8146

Abstract

Highlights: 4(5)-Methylimidazole was quantified by LC-MS/MS in various foods and beverages. QuEChERS extraction method was modified for sample preparation. The method showed good analytical performance with degree of reliability. The developed method was successfully applied to real foods and beverages. Abstract: The determination of carcinogenic 4(5)-methylimidazole (4-MeI) in complex matrices at trace levels is a challenge because of its higher polarity and weaker column retention capability. Here, we proposed a novel method for the quantification of 4-MeI in various foods and beverages using modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) extraction with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis. The evaluated QuEChERS extraction with LC-MS/MS method showed excellent linearity (1–200 μg/L, with correlation coefficient (R 2 ) > 0.999), trueness (91–113%), and precision (relative standard deviation (RSD) ≤ 12.3%), but low matrix effect (92–108%) for cola, tea, beer, coffee beverage, bread, biscuit and instant coffee. The expanded measurement uncertainty was less than 34.4% at 95% confidence level. The proposed method can be successfully applied to determine 4-MeI in 28 commercial foods and beverages purchased from local market. Therefore, we believe this method is likely to provide a potential for 4-MeI determination in practical application.