Determination of Six Phthalate Ester Contaminants in Asterias rollestoni Bell Samples by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to determine six phthalate ester contaminants in Asterias rollestoni Bell samples. The samples were sonic extracted with n-hexane-acetone. Then, the extracting solution step was followed by a combined purification separation step on an alumina-silica column. The analytes were separated by GC with an HB-5 capillary column,and then simultaneously identified and quantified by Selected Ion Monitoring (SIM) mode. Under the optimized conditions, all six of the PAEs components were separated completely from each other. The correlation coefficients of the standard curves were 0.9975~0.9996. The recoveries were within 80.30%-119.00%, detection limits of the six PAEs were 10.00 ng/g with 2.2%-5.7% RSD (n＝7). Isobutyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate and di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate were found in all of the Asterias rollestoni Bell samples. However, the total contents of Isobutyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate and di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate in the samples were lower than the daily toleration limit specified in European regulations and the content in other groceries. The average concentration of isobutyl phthalate in all the samples was higher than those of the other phthalate esters. The method was highly selective, rapid and sensitive, which is completely suitable for the determination of trace PAEs analysis in marine biology samples. It is a suitable technology to support marine environment protection and resource exploration.