Development and application of a microwave-assisted extraction and LC/MS/MS methodology to the determination of antifouling booster biocides in sea mullets (Mugil cephalus) organisms

Abstract

A method is presented for the extraction, preconcentration, and determination of two commonly used booster biocides, Irgarol 1051 and diuron, in samples of muscle and liver tissues from Mugil cephalus by microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) followed by SPE for the preconcentration and cleanup step, coupled with LC/MS/MS. The optimum conditions for MAE were established as power 200 W and irradiation time 4 min. Using these conditions, the LOD was 0.13 ng/g for diuron and 0.10 ng/g for Irgarol 1051. The recoveries calculated at three concentration levels (0.5, 5, and 50 ng/g) were greater than 74%. Repeatability was less than 7.5% and reproducibility less than 12.7%. The optimized method was used to monitor these compounds in M. cephalus from different harbors of Gran Canaria Island. The samples were collected bimonthly and processed following the optimized method. High levels of Irgarol 1051 (6.9 ± 1.03 ng/g) were found in the liver, while diuron was undetected. However, diuron was found in the muscle (1.41 ± 0.45 ng/g). The proposed sentinel organism could be used in tropical and subtropical regions to continuously biomonitor for booster biocides over long periods of time. This technique could be a useful tool for improving the management of ocean and coastal waters.