A multi-purpose tool for food inspection: Simultaneous determination of various classes of preservatives and biogenic amines in meat and fish products by LC-MS

This paper describes an innovative fast and multipurpose method for the chemical inspection of meat and fish products by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Solid-liquid extraction and low temperature partitioning were applied to 17 analytes, which included large bacteriocins (3.5kDa) and small molecules (organic acids, heterocyclic compounds, polyene macrolides, alkyl esters of the p-hydroxybenzoic acid, aromatic, and aliphatic biogenic amines and polyamines). Chromatographic separation was achieved in 10min, using stationary phase of di-isopropyl-3-aminopropyl silane bound to hydroxylated silica. Method validation was in accordance to Commission Decision 657/2002/CE. Linear ranges were among 1.25–10.0mgkg−1 (natamycin and parabens), 2.50–10.0mgkg−1 (sorbate and nisin), 25.0–200mgkg−1 (biogenic amines, hexamethylenetetramine, benzoic and lactic acids), and 50.0–400mgkg−1 (citric acid). Expanded measurement uncertainty (U) was estimated by single laboratory validation combined to modeling in two calculation approaches: internal (U = 5%) and external standardization (U = 24%). Method applicability was checked on 89 real samples among raw, cooked, dry fermented and cured products, yielding acceptable recoveries. Many regulatory issues were revealed, corroborating the need for enhancement of the current analytical methods. This simple execution method dispenses the use of additional procedures of extraction and, therefore, reduces costs over time. It is suitable for routine analysis as a screening or confirmatory tool for both qualitative and quantitative results, replacing many time consuming analytical procedures. [Display omitted] •A LC-MS/MS multipurpose method for preservatives and biogenic amines is presented.•Extraction procedure/chromatographic separation are the same for all 17 analytes.•In many samples, distinct profiles of preservatives and biogenic amines were found.•Different approaches were used to estimate measurement uncertainty.•This method applies to screening/confirmation, qualitative/quantitative analysis.