Targeted quantification of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in livestock serum by liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry

Abstract

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have attracted increasing attention due to their persistence in the environment and potential adverse effects on human and animal health. The detection and quantification of PFASs in livestock could substantially contribute to monitoring their presence within the food chain. We developed a targeted quantification method for 34 PFASs in livestock serum by liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). We used protein precipitation for serum sample extraction and accurate mass measurement of targeted PFAS compounds for quantification. We validated the method with various analytical parameters, achieving accuracy of 70–120% and precision of <20%. The method also demonstrated good analytical sensitivity, with a limit of detection of <0.051 ng/mL and a limit of quantification of <0.175 ng/mL. When applying the developed method to actual serum samples from a variety of livestock, we successfully identified and quantified various PFASs in different livestock species. Our method has the potential to be a valuable tool for veterinary laboratory analysis of PFAS contamination in livestock.