SPE/SPME–GC/MS approach for measuring musk compounds in serum and breast milk

Musks can be used to provide distinctive odor or scent in many personal care products. Musk compounds have received growing attention in recent years by environmental scientists and regulatory agencies because of their increasing production volume and widespread environmental presence. A combined separation approach using solid phase extraction (SPE) and solid phase micro extraction (SPME) coupled to detection by gas chromatography mass spectrometry was developed for measuring four polycyclic musk compounds (Galactoside®, Tonalide®, Muskene®, Celestolide®) in serum and milk. The SPE and SPME separation steps were fully automated and required minimal sample handling. The method, which requires only 1 mL serum or breast milk to achieve limits of detection of 0.03–0.3 ng/mL, is applicable in biomonitoring studies for human internal dose measurement of polycyclic musk compounds.