Db. Barr et al., Levels of methyleugenol in a subset of adults in the general US populationas determined by high resolution mass spectrometry, ENVIR H PER, 108(4), 2000, pp. 323-328
We developed a sensitive and accurate analytical method for quantifying met
hyleugenol (ME) in human serum. Our method uses a simple solid-phase extrac
tion followed by a highly specific analysis using isotope dilution gas chro
marography-high resolution mass spectrometry. Our method is very accurate;
its limit of detection is 3.1 pg/g and its average coefficient of variation
is 14% over a 200-pg/g range. We applied this method to measure serum ME c
oncentrations in adults in the general U.S. population. ME was detected in
98% of our samples, with a mean ME concentration of 24 pg/g (range < 3.1-39
0 pg/g). Lipid adjustment of the data did not alter the distribution. Bivar
iate and multivariate analyses using selected demographic variables showed
only marginal relationships between race/ethnicity and sex/fasting status w
ith serum ME concentrations. Although no demographic variable was a good pr
edictor of ME exposure or dose, our data indicate prevalent exposure of U.S
. adults to ME. Detailed pharmacokinetic studies are required to determine
the relationship between ME intake and human serum ME concentrations.