Liquid phase microextraction with in situ derivatization for measurement of bisphenol A in river water sample by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

A new method that involves liquid phase microextraction (LPME) with in situ derivatization and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) is described for the determination of trace amounts of bisphenol A (BPA) in river water samples. The LPME conditions, such as the type of extraction solvent and the extraction time, are investigated. Then, the extract is directly injected into GC–MS. The detection limit and the quantification limit of BPA in river water sample are 2 and 10 pg ml−1 (ppt), respectively. The calibration curve for BPA is linear with a correlation coefficient of >0.999 in the range of 10–10,000 pg ml−1. The average recoveries of BPA in river water samples spiked with 100 and 1000 pg ml−1 BPA are 104.1 (RSD: 8.9%) and 98.3 (RSD: 3.2%), respectively, with correction using the added surrogate standard, bisphenol A-13C12. This simple, accurate, sensitive and selective analytical method may be applicable to the determination of trace amounts of BPA in liquid samples.