Pulsed ultrasound-assisted extraction followed by purification with SBA-15 for the control of opium alkaloids in biscuits and sponge cakes

Abstract

Food products containing poppy seeds are increasingly consumed. These seeds may be contaminated with opium alkaloids (OAs) from the latex of the plant (Papaver somniferum L.), which may present a health hazard to the consumer. Therefore, the aim of this work was to develop an efficient, fast and environmentally friendly methodology to control OAs in biscuits and sponge cake products by analysis with liquid chromatography coupled to a triple quadrupole tandem mass detector (HPLC-MS/MS). For this purpose, the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) step was optimised using a 5-variable full factorial design at two levels, obtaining lower solvent volume and time than with other classical methods. Then, a solid phase extraction (SPE) was used to remove matrix effects. A commercial material (HLB) and two silica synthesised materials (HMS and SBA-15) were evaluated and optimised, selecting SBA-15 (50 mg). Finally, the method was validated and applied to real samples, showing morphine concentrations in 5 of 7 products but below the maximum permitted limit.