Determination of suspected fragrance allergens extended list by two-dimensional gas chromatography–mass spectrometry in ready-to-inject samples

• A two-dimensional GC–MS strategy is proposed to determine 69 analytes with suspected allergenic properties.
• Quantitative results were evaluated by the accuracy profile approach.
• Method gave acceptable results for the majority of compounds.
• Method is fast, rugged and cost effectiveness.

A new strategy was developed to elucidate and quantify 56 (69 analytes including isomers) suspected chemically defined fragrance allergens in perfumes that were recently targeted by the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS). Samples were analyzed with a two-dimensional gas chromatography–quadrupole mass spectrometry system (GC–GC–MS). Method performance was evaluated by the accuracy profile approach to determine uncertainties around the regulation limit of 10 mg/kg. This strategy was finally applied to 62 commercialized perfumes, analyzed in the routine workflow. Depending on the matrix, an acceptable result was obtained for 88–100% of the target analytes, which means that results were accurately defined under or above 10 mg/kg. This method saves considerable time for complete analysis and could be adopted for routine analysis due to its ruggedness and cost effectiveness.