Analysis of semicarbazide in baby food by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) - In-house method validation

A method for detection of semicarbazide (SEM) in baby food was validated. SEM was extracted with hydrochloric acid and derivatised with 2-nitrobenzaldehyde, using [N-15(2), C-13] semicarbazide as internal standard. The extract was neutralised, purified on a solid phase extraction cartridge and SEM was determined by reversed phase LC-MS-MS. Linearity was demonstrated in the ranges from 0.1 ng ml(-1) to 1 ng ml(-1) and from 2 ng ml(-1) to 80 ng ml(-1). Matrix effects were non significant for meat-based and significant for apple and rice-based baby foods, in both ranges. Mean recoveries ranged from 87.8% to 107.2% with relative standard deviation from 0.2% to 9.1%, considering both ranges. Limits of detection and quantification were 0.1 mu g kg(-1) and 0.25 mu g kg(-1), respectively. The results of the validation process demonstrated the method suitability for use in food control. (C) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.