{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Multiclass Analysis for the Determination of Pharmaceuticals and Their Main Metabolites in Leafy and Root Vegetables.
{Author}: Mejías C;Arenas M;Martín J;Santos JL;Aparicio I;Alonso E;
{Journal}: Molecules
{Volume}: 29
{Issue}: 15
{Year}: 2024 Jul 24
{Factor}: 4.927
{DOI}: 10.3390/molecules29153471
{Abstract}: The irrigation of soils with reclaimed contaminated wastewater or its amendment with sewage sludge contributes to the uptake of pharmaceuticals by vegetables growing in the soil. A multiresidue method has been devised to determine five pharmaceuticals and nine of their main metabolites in leafy and root vegetables. The method employs ultrasound-assisted extraction, clean-up via dispersive solid-phase extraction, and analysis through liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Box-Behnken design was used to refine variables such as extraction solvent volume, time of extraction, number of extraction cycles, and the type and amount of d-SPE sorbent. The method achieved linearity (R2) greater than 0.994, precision (relative standard deviation) under 16% for most compounds, and detection limits ranging from 0.007 to 2.25 ng g-1 dry weight. This method was applied to a leafy vegetable (lettuce) and to a root vegetable (carrot) sourced from a local market. Parent compounds were detected at higher concentrations than their metabolites, with the exception of carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide.