Application of large volume injection for sensitive LC-MS/MS analysis of seven artificial sweeteners in surface waters

Abstract

The combination of large volume injection and mixed-mode chromatography was performed for direct ultra-trace LC-MS/MS analysis of seven artificial sweeteners with varying physicochemical properties in surface water samples. • The injection volume was raised from 10 µL to 500 µL, while the overall analysis time was only increased by ≈5 min compared to the initial method. • Online column head refocusing and concentration of analytes enabled detection in sub-ng L−1 concentration range without elaborate sample preparation steps. • Relative standard deviations <7% despite multiple injection into the loop.

Keywords

• Surface water analysis;Mixed-mode chromatography;Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry