OPTIMIZATION OF SOLID-PHASE EXTRACTION FOR DETERMINATION OF ISOAMYL 4-METHOXYCINNAMATE IN WATER

Abstract

Isoamyl 4-methoxycinnamate (IAMC) is an organic compound belonging to UV filters, part of many cosmetic products that aim to protect human skin and hair from harmful solar radiation. Numerous studies conducted in recent decades have confirmed the presence of IAMC in the environmental waters and its toxicity to aquatic species. Low concentrations of this compound in environmental samples require sample preparation that achieves a high enrichment factor. Solid-phase extraction (SPE) achieves a high efficiency of extraction of organic compounds and higher enrichment factor compared to liquid-liquid extractions. In this paper, sample preparation involves the SPE of IAMC using Oasis HLB cartridges. Several experimental variables, such as pH value and volume of sample, eluent type, eluent volume, and salt content were considered during the optimization process. The eluted compound was analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Based on the recovery data, the optimal parameters of the SPE method were obtained: extraction from 50 mL of the aqueous sample without added salt, initial pH of the sample set to 8, and dichloromethane/methanol mixture used as an organic solvent for elution. The optimized SPE procedure is suitable for the analysis of IAMC in water. The recovery was 98%, and the enrichment factor was 150.