On-site analysis of volatile nitrosamines in food model systems by solid-phase microextraction coupled to a direct extraction device

Analysis of nitrosamine (NA) standards in a model system was carried out by extraction using SPME coupled to a direct extraction device (DED) and subsequent GC/MS in selected ion monitoring mode. Gelatine (20%, w/v) systems of a NA standard (10 μg L−1) were prepared, in order to mimic food protein matrix systems such as meat and meat products, fish and so on. Different SPME fibre coatings were tested Both divinylbenzene/carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane (DVB/CAR/PDMS) and carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane (CAR/PDMS) fibres coupled to DED satisfactorily extracted all nine NA included in the studied standard (EPA 8270 nitrosamines mix, Sigma–Aldrich) from the gelatine system at 25 °C without any sample manipulation. Values of reproducibility, linearity and limit of detection for each type of fibre are reported. SPME-DED appears as a rapid, non-destructive technique for preliminary screening of the presence of toxic substances such as NA in solid foods.