Development and validation of an LC-HRMS method for the screening and the quantification of 45 biocidal active substances in fortified chicken muscle and their monitoring in commercial samples

Biocidal active substances are of considerable importance in protecting human and animal health against pathogenic or harmful biological agents that may enter in the food chain of foods of animal origin. The use of biocidal products in the food chain is massive and highly diversified (i.e. disinfectants, preservatives, or pest control) and foodstuff may be exposed to the substances contained in these products. This contamination of foodstuffs has already been highlighted in some studies and is considered as a public health concern. To date, there is still a need to provide data on the contamination of food by biocidal active substances to estimate consumer exposure and the associated risk. In this study, a multi-residue method for the screening and the quantification of biocidal active substances in chicken muscle was developed using a liquid-liquid sample preparation procedure and analysis based on liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). Two orthogonal arrays were employed to optimise the detection and the sample preparation procedure in order to save time and minimise experiments. The method allows the identification of 45 biocidal active substances in chicken muscle, and the quantification of 33 of them in a range from 5 to 500 µg.kg^-1. The method was successfully applied on 35 chicken samples purchased in local markets.