<b>Abstract:</b><br/>Biogenic emissions are expected to dominate in future decades as a result of increasing awareness and legal control on fossil fuel emissions in Europe. It is therefore important to investigate the role of biogenic emissions in atmosphere. 3-methyl-1,2,3-butanetricarboxylic acid (MBTCA) originates from α-pinene and can be used as a biogenic emission marker [1]. Low MBTCA concentrations in atmospheric aerosols make its identification and quantification challenging in autumn and winter seasons [2]. To our knowledge no study has been devoted so far to push the limit of detection for the analysis of MBTCA. In this study whole chain of analysis including extraction of MBTCA from filter samples followed by chromatographic separation and mass spectrometric analysis were investigated. Hollow fibre liquid phase micro-extraction (HF-LPME) has been reported to provide high enrichment factors in environmental samples [3]. HF-LPME method was optimized by using statistical multivariate design of experiment to obtain high enrichment factor, selectivity and sample clean-up. Variables e.g. type of organic phase, addition of additives in organic phase, extraction time and stirring rate were optimized using D-optimal design. Furthermore, UHPLC-ESI-MS method was also investigated for higher signal to noise ratio. Experiments were performed by both positive and negative ionization modes and by varying cone and capillary voltages in ESI-MS. The study provides interesting information not only with low limits of detection but also with a better understanding of chemical properties of MBTCA.

Development of hollow fiber liquid phase micro-extraction and ultra high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry method for trace analysis of 3-methyl-1,2,3-butanetricarboxylic acid in atmospheric aerosols

255th National Meeting (2018)

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