Rapid determination of glyphosate, glufosinate, bialaphos, and their major metabolites in serum by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry using hydrophilic interaction chromatography

We developed a simple and rapid method for the simultaneous determination of phosphorus-containing amino acid herbicides (glyphosate, glufosinate, bialaphos) and their major metabolites, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) and 3-methylphosphinicopropionic acid (MPPA), in human serum. Serum samples were filtrated through an ultrafiltration membrane to remove proteins. The filtrate was then washed with chloroform, and injected into a liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) system. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) column. Determination of the target herbicides and metabolites was successfully carried out without derivatization or solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridge clean-up. The recoveries of these compounds, added to human serum at 0.2 μg/mL, ranged from 94% to 108%, and the relative standard deviations (RSDs) were within 5.9%. The limits of detection (LODs) were 0.01 μg/mL for MPPA, 0.02 μg/mL for AMPA, 0.03 μg/mL for both glyphosate and glufosinate, and 0.07 μg/mL for bialaphos, respectively.