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An LC-tandem MS (LC–MS/MS) method for the determination of 21 kinds of carcinogenic aromatic amines released from azo dyes in food wrappers was used in this research. Sodium dithionite was added to a citric acid buffer medium to reduce and decompose possible azo dyes. The extract was analyzed after liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) and dispersive SPE (d-SPE). The conditions for chromatographic separation, mass spectrum, LLE, and d-SPE were optimized. Under optimal conditions, the LOD was in the range of 0.13–0.35 mg/kg and LOQ in the range of 0.38–1.05 mg/kg, with the addition of standard recoveries of most aromatic amines being ≥80% and RSDs ≤10%. The recoveries for 2,4-diaminotoluene and 2,4-diaminoanisole were significantly lower, being ≤40%. The method was successfully used to analyze 30 practical samples, and the results showed that it is user-friendly, with high sensitivity, rapid control, and low matrix interference.

A liquid chromatographic (LC) method was developed for the determination of allantoin, uric acid, and indoxyl sulfate in mammalian urine contaminated packaging material including paper bagging, corrugated cardboard, grayboard, and burlap bagging. The procedure involves solvent extraction and isolation of the 3 analytes by reversed-phase LC with ultraviolet detection at 225 nm for allantoin and 286 nm for uric acid and indoxyl sulfate. The composition of authentic mammalian urine such as mouse, rat, cat, dog, and human were also determined with regard to the 3 compounds of interest. A linear concentration range of 0.11-20.4, 0.02-10.0, and 0.04-30.0 microg/mL was obtained for allantoin, uric acid, and indoxyl sulfate, respectively. Limits of detection (LOD) and quantitation (LOQ) were 0.0104 and 0.0345 microg/mL for allantoin; 0.0018 and 0.0060 microg/mL for uric acid; and 0.0049 and 0.0165 microg/mL for indoxyl sulfate, respectively. Interday relative standard deviation values for a mixture of standard allantoin, uric acid, and indoxyl sulfate (n = 5) were 0.97, 0.80, and 0.94%, respectively. Analyte composition for 5 types of authentic mammalian urine varied from 0.19-6.88 mg/mL allantoin; 0.08-0.57 mg/mL uric acid; and 0.03-0.78 mg/mL indoxyl sulfate. Analyte content for 8 samples including 2 samples each for paper, cardboard, grayboard, and burlap bagging each contaminated with mouse or rat urine ranged fromLOD to 4,598 microg/gm allantoin;LOD to 202 microg/gm uric acid; and 17.5 to 616 microg/gm indoxyl sulfate. Recoveries of allantoin, uric acid, and indoxyl sulfate from 11 fortified samples (4 types) for both mouse and rat urine ranged from 28.2 to 114.1 % for allantoin; 32.6 to 123.4% for uric acid; and 52.6 to 118.2% for indoxyl sulfate.

Although the use of pentachlorophenol (PCP) is prohibited in most countries, it is still widely found in the wood of pallets, containers, crates and in cardboard, paper, etc. Such material may contain not only PCP but other chlorophenols as well. Wooden crates and cardboard boxes are often used to store and transport fresh fruits. Consequently, chlorophenols present in the wood may contaminate the stored fruits by migration. To ascertain that packaging, storage material, and fruit raw materials are free from chlorophenol residues, we developed a rapid and sensitive method for the detection of 19 chlorophenols by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The test portions are directly extracted and acetylated in a solution of sodium carbonate in the presence of acetic anhydride and hexane. The hexane layer is analyzed, without further purification, by GC/MS in the selective-ion monitoring mode. The method allows the analysis of40 samples/day with detection limits of20 microg/kg for chlorophenols in wood, cardboard, and paper, and2 microg/kg for chlorophenols in fruits. Typical recoveries of all chlorophenols were 94% from paper, 115% from cardboard, 51% from wood (depending on the size of the chips or shavings), and 93% from fruit puree.