Matrix Solid-Phase Dispersion and Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry for the Determination of Phthalic Acid Esters in Vegetables

A method based on matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to determine dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP) di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) butylbenzyl phthalate (BBP) and di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) in vegetables was developed. The method, which required Florisil as solid dispersion sorbent, graphitized carbon black as purificant and ethyl acetate as eluting solvent is simple, fast and suitable for the preparation of a large number of samples. The results showed that linearity of response over the five phthalic acid esters was good from 0.05 to 10.00 mg/kg. The recoveries of spiked samples ranging from 76% to 90% and the relative standard deviations ranging from 2% to 7% were obtained. The limits of detection for the method were from 0.01 to 0.024 mg/kg.