DETERMINATION OF SACCHARIN IN SHRIMP BY ION CHROMATOGRAPHY AND CAPILLARY GAS-CHROMATOGRAPHY MASS-SPECTROMETRY

A procedure is described for the detection, identification and determination of saccharin in shrimp. Undeclared use of this regulated substance has been noted. Shrimp is extracted with water, and the extract is treated with a C-18 solid-phase extraction cartridge and a chloride removal cartridge. The method detection limit is 2 mu g/g saccharin in shrimp. Recovery of a 16 mu g/g saccharin spike averaged 91 +/- 6%. The identity of saccharin is confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of the methyl derivative which is prepared using an on-column methylating agent.