Direct LC–ES-MS/MS determination of phthalates in physiological saline solutions

A method for determining a group of phthalic esters (PAEs) in physiological saline solutions has been developed. The PAEs studied were dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, butyl benzyl phthalate and dibutyl phthalate. These groups of phthalates were determined by liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry, working in positive ion mode. The compounds were separated by liquid chromatography working in gradient mode with acetonitrile–ultrapure water as a mobile phase. The separation was performed starting with 5% of acetonitrile and increasing to 75% in 5 min, followed by isocratic elution for 8 min. The method was precise (with relative standard deviation (RSD) from 1.0 to 6.8%) and sensitive, with LODs of 0.05, 0.38, 0.05 and 0.82 μg L−1 for DMP, DEP, BBP and DBP, respectively. The proposed analytical method has been applied to determine these compounds in different physiological saline solutions commercialized in plastic bottles.