A sequential injection fluorimetric methodology with in-line solid phase extraction for biogenic amines screening in water

A method for the screening of biogenic amines in waters, whose presence at some concentration levels potentially cause adverse effects on humans, was developed for the first time. A suitable and easy to operate system, with low reagent consumption was devised. The proposed flow-based system was divided into two analytical parts, preconcentration and derivatization of the biogenic amines. Solid phase extraction, using a Chelex 100 resin, was the newly chosen strategy for preconcentration of the analyte and also removal of possible matrix interferences. Fluorescamine was used as derivatization reagent for biogenic amines followed by fluorimetric detection. The influence of different sorbent materials for preconcentration and flow system parameters such as pH of standards and buffer, composition of the eluent solution, flow-rates, standard/sample volume, were studied. The interference of ammonia was assessed, and no interference was observed. The limits of detection and quantification were 1.7 and 5.6 µmol L−1, respectively. The developed system was applied to water samples and the recovery results were 98 ± 7%.