신은영 (동국대학교)

차상원 (동국대학교)

신은영 (동국대학교)

차상원 (동국대학교)

Aromatic amines, known for their toxic and carcinogenic properties, may be present in tattoo inks either as intentional additives or as degradation products of azo dyes under physiological or environmental conditions. However, existing analytical methods often lack the sensitivity and accuracy required for detecting these compounds in complex matrices such as tattoo inks. In this study, we developed and validated a method for the simultaneous quantification of 21 aromatic amines in tattoo ink products using gas chromatography coupled with electron ionization mass spectrometry (GC-EI-MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (GC-EI-MS/MS). Quantification was performed using selected ion monitoring (SIM) in GC-MS and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) in GC-MS/MS. Method optimization identified a DB-35MS column and a 2:1 split injection as optimal, achieving a balance between sample loading and sensitivity while ensuring high separation efficiency and reproducibility. Under these conditions, quantitative performance was compared between SIM and MRM modes. As expected, MRM showed superior sensitivity, with markedly lower limits of quantification (LOQs). For instance, the LOQ for 4,4′-methylenebis(2-chloroaniline) decreased from 0.5 mg/L in SIM to 0.02 mg/L in MRM. Extracted chromatograms at LOQ levels further demonstrated that MRM offered lower background noise and sharper peak shapes than SIM. These findings highlight the enhanced sensitivity and reliability of MRM for quantifying aromatic amines in complex tattoo ink matrices.