Development and validation of a green analytical method for simultaneously determining plasticizers residues in honeys from different botanical origins

Abstract

A novel method has been proposed to determine nine plasticizers in honey samples by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. An efficient sample treatment was proposed (average analyte recoveries between 77% and 118%) involving a double solvent extraction with ethyl acetate, followed by a clean-up step with florisil. Chromatographic analysis (< 21 min) was performed in an Agilent HP-5MS column under programmed temperature conditions. The greenness of the method was assessed with different tools that classified it as environmentally friendly. The method was validated in terms of selectivity, limits of detection (0.1–3.1 μg kg−1) and quantification (0.2–10.3 μg kg−1), linearity, matrix effect, trueness, and precision (relative standard deviation <9%). An analysis of thirty samples from different sources (commercial or experimental apiaries) revealed the presence of residues of five plasticizers in most of the samples. Finally, health risk assessment was evaluated, and the results indicated no associated health risks for consumers.