Determination of 16 ultraviolet–absorbing compounds in marine invertebrates by using LC-USI-MS/MS coupled with QuEChERS

In this study, we examined multiple endocrine-disrupting ultraviolet-absorbing compounds (UVACs) in marine invertebrates used in personal care products and packaging. Modified QuEChERS and liquid chromatography UniSpray ionization tandem mass spectrometry were used to identify 16 UVACs in marine invertebrates. Matrix-matched calibration curves revealed high linearity (r ≥ 0.9929), with limits of detection and quantification of 0.006–1.000 and 0.020–3.000 ng/g w.w., respectively. In oysters, intraday and interday analyses revealed acceptable accuracy (93%–120%) and precision (≤18%), except for benzophenone (BP) and ethylhexyl 4-(dimethylamino) benzoate. Analysis of 100 marine invertebrate samples revealed detection frequencies of 100%, 98%, 89%, 64%, and 100% for BP, 4-hydroxybenzophenone, 4-methylbenzophenone, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor, and benzophenone-3 (BP-3), respectively. BP and BP-3 were detected at concentrations of 4.40–27.39 and < 0.020–0.560 ng/g w.w., respectively, indicating their widespread presence. Overall, our proposed method successfully detected UVACs in marine invertebrates, raising concerns regarding their potential environmental and health effects.