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

作者：Wu, Chunjian; Wang, Li; Li, He; Yu, Shujuan^*

来源：Food Chemistry, 2019, 280: 278-285.

DOI：10.1016/j.foodchem.2018.12.065

• 4(5)-Methylimidazole
• Maillard reaction
• Dispersive solid-phase extraction
• Coffee
• Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

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 linearly (1-200 mu g/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.

• 出版日期2019-5-15
• 单位华南理工大学