Matrix compatibility of typical sol–gel solid-phase microextraction coatings in undiluted plasma and whole blood for the analysis of phthalic acid esters

Sol–gel materials have been widely used for solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coatings due to their outstanding performance; in contrast, sol–gel SPME coatings have seldom been used for in vivo sampling. The main reason is that their matrix compatibility is unclear. In order to promote the application of this type of coating and accelerate the development of in vivo SPME, in this study, the matrix compatibility of several typical sol–gel coatings was assessed in plasma and whole blood using phthalic acid esters as analytes. The service life of five kinds of sol–gel coatings was among 20–35 times in undiluted plasma, while it was 27 times for a homemade commercial polydimethylsiloxane coating, which indicates good matrix compatibility of sol–gel coatings in untreated plasma. The sol–gel hydroxy-terminated silicone oil/methacrylic acid fiber achieved the highest extraction ability among all of the fibers, and it was tested in pig whole blood. It could be continuously used for at least 22 times, demonstrating good potential for in vivo sampling. Subsequently, a direct-immersion SPME/gas chromatography-flame ionization detection method was established for the determination of 5 phthalic acid esters in blood. Compared with other methods reported in the literature, this method is rapid, simple, sensitive, and accurate, and does not need expensive instruments or tedious procedures. A simulation system of animal blood circulation was constructed to verify the practicability of sol–gel SPME coatings in animal vein sampling. The result illustrated the feasibility of that coating for in vivo blood sampling, but a more accurate quantification calibration approach needs to be explored. Graphical abstract