Development of an LC-MS/MS Method for the Characterization of Halogenated Furanones

Abstract

Halogenated furanones are chlorine disinfection by-products (DBPs) that have been shown to be direct acting mutagens and are considered potential human carcinogens. These high priority DBPs are among the by-products to be analyzed for the USEPA’s Integrated Disinfection By-product Research Project (Four Lab Study) developed to evaluate the toxicity of the complex mixture of DBPs present in treated water. The traditional method for characterization of halogenated furanones involves liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) and a time intensive derivatization step for gas chromatography analysis. In order to remove the derivatization step and provide a more efficient method to characterize halofuranones in the Four Lab Study’s water sample, a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed, using electrospray ionization. Halofuranones MX, MBA, BMX-1 and BMX-3 were successfully quantified through LC-ESI-MS/MS at the ng/L level in treated water samples. Method linearity was observed (r2≥0.98) with accurate and reproducible results. Compared to current detection methods, this LC-MS/MS method provides a faster yet highly sensitive and selective method to quantify halofuranones at the ng/L level.