Development of an analytical method for the quantitative determination of multi-class nutrients in different food matrices by solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry using design of experiments.

A simple and rapid analytical method based on solid-phase extraction (SPE) followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with the aid of design of experiments (DOE) approach was developed and validated for simultaneous determination of multi-class nutrients (water- and fat-soluble vitamins and flavonoids) in various food matrices (vegetables, fruits, and cereals). The factors affecting the SPE method were optimized using DOE tools. The separation was achieved in 13 min using the C18 column by gradient LC programme. The SPE-LC-MS/MS method was validated in terms of limit of detection (1.29-29.17 ng/g), linearity range (25-1000 ng/g), coefficient of determination (0.993-0.999) and recovery (72.53-104.24%) for multi-class nutrients in different food samples. Inter- and intra-day precision were evaluated and found to be within acceptable range. The developed method finds extensive application in the routine analysis of multi-class nutrients in various food matrices.