Recent trends in the determination of organic UV filters by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in environmental samples

Present review discusses current trends in the gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) determination of sixteen organic UV filters belonging to the classes of i) benzophenones (BPs); and ii) salicylate and benzoate esters added to sunscreens due to their excellent UV absorbing properties covering both UVA and UVB ranges. Possibilities for identification and quantitation of organic UV filters with or without derivatization are, hereby, presented. Concerning derivatization, conditions for application of alkyl silylation with N,O-bis(Trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA), N-Methyl -N- (trime- thylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide(MSTFA) and N-tert-Butyldimethylsilyl-N-methyltrifluoroacetamide (MTBSTFA) have been compiled. In the past 17 years, derivatization was applied in 36% of the about 121 peer reviewed articles included in the present report, silylation being the most popular approach (cca. 90%). However, not so widespread derivatization approaches such as acetylation with acetic acid an-hydride (Ac2O) and oximation with O-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl) hydroxylamine hydrochloride (PFBHA) are also discussed. According to their frequency of use, these derivatization reagents are ranked as follows: BSTFA > MSTFA > MTBSTFA > Ac2O > PFBHA. The organic UV filters that can only be determined by derivatization are hydroxylated derivatives of BP such as benzhydrol, 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone (BP1), 2,2',4,4'-tetrahydroxy-benzophenone, 2,2'-dihydroxy-4,4'-dimethoxy-benzophenone, 2-hydroxy-benzophenone, 3-hydroxy-benzophenone, 4-hydroxy-benzophenone and 2,3,4-trihydroxy-benzophenone. To the contrary, the GC-MS determination of BP is achieved: i) directly; ii) directly together with its hydroxyl derivatives after silylation or acylation; iii) after derivatization with PFBHA. Trends in determination of these analytes in environmental compartments (e.g., water, sediment) and biota are also discussed. The most frequently studied BPs in these samples are 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-benzophenone or oxybenzone (BP3) > BP1 congruent to BP. (c) 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.