Congener-specific method for the determination of ortho and non-ortho polychlorinated biphenyls, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans in foods by carbon-column fractionation and gas chromatography-isotope dilution mass spectrometry
Krokos, F.; Creaser, C.S.; Wright, C.; Startin, J.R.
Fresenius' Journal Of Analytical Chemistry. 357(6): 732-742
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0937-0633 DOI: 10.1007/s002160050240
Accession: 008374943
The chromatographic behavior of ortho and non-ortho polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on supported carbon columns has been investigated and the structure-affinity relationship of activated carbon towards PCB molecules established. Optimisation of the parameters controlling the elution of PCB congeners through the carbon column led to the development of a solvent scheme for the efficient separation of (i) ortho substituted PCBs, (ii) non-ortho substituted PCBs and (iii) polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in three separate fractions. A method for the extraction, clean-up, fractionation and determination of ortho and non-ortho substituted PCBs by GC-isotope dilution MS was developed and validated by analysis of a certified reference material. Possible losses of PCBs during freeze-drying and interferences of aliphatic hydrocarbons during mass spectrometric determination of ortho substituted PCBs are also discussed.