Determination of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in water and urine using selective molecular imprinted polymer extraction and liquid chromatography

• A selective MIP was used for NSAID determination in water and urine using LC.
• The efficacy of DAD and MS–MS detectors was evaluated for NSAID analysis.
• NSAID residues were monitored in urine of prescribed individuals.
• Occurrence of NSAIDs in continental waters was estimated.

A selective solid-phase extraction was employed for the improvement of the determination of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in continental water and urine samples. Ketoprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, and ibuprofen were selected as target analytes due to they are the most frequently administered and consumed NSAIDs. These compounds were extracted using molecular imprinted polymers and determined by liquid chromatography with diode array (DAD), and tandem-mass spectrometry (MS–MS) detectors. Performance of DAD and MS–MS detectors was evaluated throughout this study. The obtained limits of quantification, after a 50-fold preconcentration solid-phase extraction, varied from 20 to 30 μg L−1 for DAD, and from 0.007 to 0.017 μg L−1 for MS–MS for both types of sample matrixes. Quantitative recoveries were found for blank-samples spiked at different NSAIDs concentration levels, ranging from 0.05 to 10 mg L−1 for urine and from 0.5 to 500 μg L−1 for water. The proposed methodology was applied for the determination of NSAID residues in urine of prescribed individuals, and continental waters.