Abstract: A method for the determination of bongkrekic acid (BKA) in foods was developed using mixed-mode weak anion exchange (WAX) solid phase extraction (SPE) combined with high performance liquid phase chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD). BKA was separated on a C18 column using a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile, methanol and 1% acetic acid aqueous solution (10:62:28, V/V). There was a good linearity between the peak area of the analyte and its concentration in the range of 0.1–40 mg/L with a correlation coefficient of more than 0.999. The extraction solvent and conditions were investigated and optimized, and six SPE catridges were compared for their purification efficiencies. The best efficiency was achieved when samples were ultrasonically extracted with 80% acetonitrile in water for 30 min and the extract was cleaned up by WAX solid phase extraction. The limit of detection (LOD) of the method was 0.03 mg/kg. The mean recoveries of BKA from spiked samples were 83.3%–95.6% with relative standard deviation (RSD) less than 5% (n = 6). Compared with the standard method, this method is more accurate and sensitive with higher recovery, requires a simpler and quicker pretreatment and thus, can be used for the determination of BKA in various food samples.

Key words: bongkrekic acid, solid phase extraction, high performance liquid chromatography, food