A boronic acid-modified C derivatization reagent for the rapid detection of 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry.

Rationale: 3-Monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) is a well-known contaminant formed in food thermal processing, which could be found in a variety of foodstuffs. Due to its potential carcinogenicity, it was essential to quickly develop a rapid and high-throughput analytical method to monitor 3-MCPD in foodstuffs, which is described in this study.

Methods: 3-MCPD was extracted from foodstuffs and then was derivatized with a boronic acid-modified C (B-C ) through the boronic acid-diol reaction. Microwave heating was used to accelerate the derivatization reaction. Mass spectrometry (MS) analysis was conducted using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-MS (MALDI-MS). The application of the method was validated using various smoked food samples.

Results: The chemical derivatization of 3-MCPD with B-C enabled the addition of a C -tag to 3-MCPD. High-throughput analysis of the sample within 0.5 h was realized. A good linear range from 0.02 to 1.5 μg mL for 3-MCPD was obtained, with a detection limit of 0.005 μg mL . The recoveries in spiked foodstuffs ranged from 85.4% to 115.1% with relative standard deviations of 2.0%-14.2%. This method was successfully applied to detect 3-MCPD in smoked foodstuffs.

Conclusions: A quantitative method was developed for the detection of 3-MCPD in foodstuffs using B-C derivatization combined with MALDI-MS strategy. This proposed method may serve as a potential platform for the rapid and high-throughput analysis of 3-MCPD in foodstuffs for the purpose of food safety control.