Evaluation of modern extraction methods for the analysis of tetramethylene disulfotetramine in foods

ANYL 17

Lowri Dejager, Gracia A. Perfetti, and Gregory W. Diachenko. Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 5100 Paint Branch Parkway, HFS-245, College Park, MD 20740
Tetramethylene disulfotetramine (TETS) is a highly lethal neurotoxin that was once used throughout the world as a rodenticide. Although banned since 1984, TETS is still produced illicitly and has been linked to over 1000 deaths from accidental and deliberate poisonings. No method has been reported for TETS determination in foods. In the current work, several automated extraction techniques including solid phase microextraction (SPME), stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE), and membrane assisted solvent extraction, coupled with GC-MS detection are evaluated for the determination of TETS in a variety of foods. The sensitivity, selectivity and reproducibility of the different modes of extraction and challenges encountered during food analysis will be presented.