Determination of multiclass contaminants in colostrum by HS-SPME-GC-MS/MS: method development and validation

Breast milk is the primary source of nutrition for newborns. In addition to its well-established nutritional and immunological benefits, breast milk may also serve as a pathway for exposure to environmental contaminants, including pesticides and pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs). In this context, colostrum is especially relevant because it is the first food consumed by neonates, who are highly vulnerable to chemical stressors due to their physiological immaturity. Early-life exposure to these compounds may affect the development of the neurological, endocrine, and immune systems. Therefore, the determination of these contaminants in colostrum is essential to better understand maternal and neonatal exposure. This study aimed to develop a method employing HS-SPME and GC-MS/MS for the determination of multiclass contaminants in colostrum. Under standardized extraction conditions, a polyacrylate fiber was used. The LODs of the method ranged from 0.15 to 0.76 ng mL^-1, and the LOQs ranged from 0.5 to 2.5 ng mL^-1. Accuracy and precision showed recovery values ranging from 43 to 120%, with RSD <22% for all analytes. Of the 26 analyzed samples, 10 contained at least one detected analyte, including five parabens and atrazine. The proposed method proved to be accurate, precise, solvent-free, and suitable for monitoring contaminants in colostrum.