Simultaneous Determination of Seven Biogenic Amines in Foodstuff Samples Using One-Step Fluorescence Labeling and Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction Followed by HPLC-FLD and Method Optimization Using Response Surface Methodology

A simple, sensitive and selective method based on one-step fluorescence labeling and ultrasound-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (UA-DLLME) was developed for the determination of biogenic amines (BAs) in foodstuff samples by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection (FLD). In this work, fluorescence probe 2-(11H-benzo[a]carbazol-11-yl) ethyl carbonochloridate (BCEC-Cl) was applied to label BAs. What followed was the UA-DLLME procedure that was carried out using chloroform and acetone as extraction and disperser solvents, respectively. A response surface methodology (RSM) based on a Box-Behnken design (BBD) was employed to optimize the main parameters affecting the fluorescence labeling and DLLME efficiency. Under the optimal conditions, this method offered low limits of detection (LODs) of 1.1-7.8 ng/mL and limits of quantification (LOQs) of 3.5-26.1 ng/mL. Finally, the method was successfully used for the determination of trace BAs in real samples and exhibited powerful potential in the high-throughput sample screening.