RP14 Ecological Fate and Effects of Explosives and Related Compounds
Thursday, 17 November 2005: 8:00 AM - 6:30 PM in Exhibit Hall

(LIU-1117-729748) Extraction and Analysis of HMX in Eggs by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry.

Liu, J¹, Severt, S¹, Pan, X¹, Smith, P¹, Cobb, G¹, ¹ The Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA

ABSTRACT- An efficient sample extraction and cleanup method was developed for determination of trace amounts of Cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine (HMX) in eggs. The method included solvent extraction of HMX from eggs followed by cleanup using Florisil and Styrene-Divinyl Benzene (SDB) Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) cartridges. Egg aliquots were weighted in centrifuge tubes and 10 mL acetonitrile was added. After homogenization, the samples were sonicated for 1 hour. Each sample was centrifuged and all liquid was collected for cleanup to remove endogenous interfering compounds. After filtering, the extract was analysed by liquid chromatography coupled with a mass spectrometry (LC-MS) using a RP C-18 column, with a mobile phase containing 60% methanol and 40% water + 1 mM acetic acid. Studies were performed using eggs containing both fortified and incurred HMX at levels of 0.05-500 ng/mL. The limit of quantification is 0.1 ng/mL. The average recoveries of HMX from 1 g of eggs containing 10, 50, 500, 1000, 2000 ng/mL were 82-112%.

Key words: HMX, Extraction, Analysis, Egg