Simultaneous determination of four biogenic amines in whey samples using a new solid phase extraction method prior to their analysis by HPLC-MS/MS

A new extraction procedure named homogenous solid phase extraction was developed for the simultaneous extraction of four biogenic amines (histamine, tyramine, spermine, and dopamine) from whey samples. The method was done by dissolving a water-miscible organic polymer in the sample solution and a homogenous phase was formed. Then, the sorbent was re-precipitated in the solution as tiny particles by adding NaCl. By doing so the analytes are adsorbed onto the sorbent. Then, the polymer was separated from the sample solution and the adsorbed analytes onto the surface of the particles were desorbed by acetonitrile and determined by HPLC-MS/MS. The effective parameters were optimized by central composite design and the following conditions were obtained: sample solution pH, 8; polyvinylpyrrolidone amount, 105 mg; sodium chloride concentration, 10% (w/v); and acetonitrile volume, 125 µL. After optimization, the method was validated and broad linear ranges of the calibration curves, low limits of detection and quantification, satisfactory extraction recoveries, and an acceptable precision were obtained. Finally, the introduced method was effectively applied for determination of the studied biogenic amines in whey samples and histamine and tyramine were determined in them.