An on-line solid phase extraction method coupled with UHPLC-MS/MS for the determination of steroid hormone compounds in treated water samples from waste water treatment plants

Abstract

An on-line solid phase extraction coupled with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography in tandem with mass spectrometry (SPE-UHPLC-MS/MS) method for the determination of fourteen hormones (four oestrogens, three androgens, four progestogens and three corticosteroids) in waste water samples has been developed. All of the parameters involved in the on-line extraction process have been optimized: type of cartridge, sample volume, loading solvent, solvent of the wash step and the pH of the sample. Moreover, the chromatographic separation and all of the parameters involved in the detection by mass spectrometry have been studied too