Identification of Benzophenone Analogs in Rice Cereal through Fast Pesticide Extraction and Ultrahigh-Performance Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

A fast, robust, and sensitive analytical method was developed and validated for the simultaneous identification of benzophenone (BP) and nine BP analogs (BP-1, BP-2, BP-3, BP-8, 2-hydroxybenzophenone, 4-hydroxybenzophenone, 4-methylbenzophenone [4-MBP], methyl-2-benzoylbenzoate, and 4-benzoylbiphenyl) in 25 samples of rice cereal. Fast pesticide extraction (FaPEx) coupled with ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry was applied. The developed method exhibited satisfactory linearity (r > 0.997), favorable recoveries between 71% and 119%, and a limit of detection ranging from 0.001 to 0.5 ng/g. The detection frequencies of BP, 4-MBP, and BP-3 were 100%, 88%, and 52%, respectively. BP had higher geometric levels, with a mean of 39.8 (19.1–108.9) ng/g, and 4-MBP had low levels, with a mean of 1.9 (1.3–3.3) ng/g. The method can be applied to routine rice cereal analysis at the nanogram-per-gram level. For infants aged 0–3 years, the hazard quotients of BP and 4-MBP were lower than one, and the margin of exposure for BP was higher than 10,000, suggesting that rice cereal consumption poses no health concern for Taiwanese infants.

Integrating density functional theory and chemical ionization mass spectrometry techniques to assess benzophenone derivatives in food packaging: implications for enhancing food quality and safety

“…Many benzophenone derivatives are amenable to separation and quantification using chromatographic methods, such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). 6,7,24 These techniques rely on differences in compounds' retention times and interactions with stationary phases, allowing for accurate quantification. 33 • PTR-MS: PTR-MS is a type of mass spectrometry that relies on the chemical ionization of VOCs using hydronium ions (H 3 O + ) generated by a proton source.…”

“…4,5 Benzophenone and its derivatives are a class of organic compounds that have been used in various applications, including food packaging. 6,7 These compounds have been employed to provide specific properties to packaging materials, such as ultraviolet (UV) absorption, photostability, and barrier properties. 8,9 However, the use of certain benzophenone derivatives in food packaging has raised concerns because of their potential risk of migrating to the surface of the food.…”

“…However, the use of various packaging materials, such as plastics, paper, and metals, may lead to interactions between the packaging and the enclosed food, resulting in the release of VOCs 4,5 . Benzophenone and its derivatives are a class of organic compounds that have been used in various applications, including food packaging 6,7 . These compounds have been employed to provide specific properties to packaging materials, such as ultraviolet (UV) absorption, photostability, and barrier properties 8,9 .…”