A multiclass method for the determination of pharmaceuticals in drinking water by solid phase extraction and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

摘要

In this work, a simple method for the determination of 20 pharmaceuticals of different classes in drinking water using solid phase extraction (SPE) and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) was developed and validated. Different sorbents, solvents and elution volumes were evaluated. The optimized conditions of the extraction step were the Strata?-X cartridge, samples without pH adjustment but with addition of 0.1% (w/v) of EDTA, eluting solvent 1% (v/v) acetic acid in acetonitrile/methanol 1?:?1 (v/v) and an elution volume of 1 mL. Recovery results were adequate ranging from 70 to 119%, with relative standard deviation (RSD) ≤ 19%. The limits of quantification and detection of the method were from 0.01 to 0.1 μg L?1 and from 0.003 to 0.03 μg L?1, respectively, considered suitable for monitoring of these compounds in drinking water. The proposed method was successfully applied in real samples. Atenolol, carbamazepine and paracetamol were found in some samples at concentrations ≤ 0.027 μg L?1.