Powerful Detection of Low-level Alkylphenols

Thermo Fisher Scientific has developed a method to analyse food and environmental matrices for the presence of alkylphenol compounds using a GC-MS/MS system with automated selected reaction monitoring (AutoSRM). Application Note 10407: Analysis of Alkylphenols Using GC-MS/MS and Automated SRM Development demonstrates the combined analytical power of the Thermo Scientific TRACE 1310 GC, the Thermo Scientific TSQ Duo triple quadrupole mass spectrometer and the Thermo Scientific Dionex Chromeleon Chromatography Data System (CDS) software to detect and quantify alkylphenol compounds in water and solid samples.

Alkylphenols and ethoxylated alkylphenols are used as surfactants in a broad range of applications from processing wood and metals to use as emulsifiers in polymerization and even solvents for flavorings. Alkylphenols are endocrine disruptors with estrogen-like properties that have been shown to alter mammary gland development and to be toxic to aquatic life. Although these compounds are still used in industrial laundry detergents, they are now banned in both the E.U. and by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for use in household detergents and current European regulations create a high demand for analytical screening for these compounds at low levels in both water and food.