Abstract:

Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was applied for the
direct determination of taurine in infant milk powder. The sample pretreatment procedure was optimized, and the matrix
effect and the factors influencing electrospray ionization (ESI) were evaluated to establish a simple, rapid, low-matrixeffect
and sensitive method for determining taurine. The results showed that the recovery rate of this method was between
72% and 97%, with relative standard deviation ranging from 2.16% to 3.33%. The instrument detection limit was 50 μg/L,
and the method detection limit was 1 mg/L. Quantification using an external standard method could meet the requirements
of the European Union and China for taurine detection in infant milk powder. The whole analysis can be accomplished in 8
minutes, and is suitable for the determination of taurine in mass detection of infant milk powder.

Key words: ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS), matrix effects, baby milk powder, taurine