A simple and sensitive method for the determination of methylene blue and its analogues in fish muscle using UPLC-MS/MS.

A new, simple and sensitive method for determining and confirming methylene blue and its analogues such as azure A, azure B, azure C, thionine, and new methylene blue in fish muscles have been developed. The method is based on acetonitrile extraction followed by extract purification using dispersive solid-phase extraction (dSPE) with basic aluminium oxide (ALN) and solid-phase extraction (SPE) using primary and secondary amines (PSA) sorbent in matrix adsorption mode. The separation and detection of the dyes in the fish extract are achieved within 5 min by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) using an octadecyl analytical column with a mixture of acetonitrile, methanol and 0.1% formic acid as a mobile phase in gradient elution. The developed method has been in-house validated according to European law. The method recovery for fish muscle was 98.3-103.1%, whereas the decision limit (CCα) was from 0.45 to 0.49 µg kg-1.

Occurrence and ecotoxicological risk assessment of pharmacologically active dyes in the environmental water of Poland.

The interest in the fate of pharmacologically active substances (PASs) in the aquatic environment continually increases. However, little is known about pharmacologically active dyes (PADs) as contaminants of water bodies. PADs are used in medicine, but due to their colouring properties are also applied in the textile, cosmetic and food industries. Their large-scale production and widespread applications have caused these dyes permeate to the aquatic environment. The pharmacological activity and toxicological properties of some of these dyes, caused their occurrence in water should be monitored. Up to now, PADs such as crystal violet, malachite green, methylene blue, rhodamine B, have been determined in the water of Greater China and Iran. However, there is no data on whether PADs pose an environmental problem for water bodies in Poland. Thus, different water samples were collected and analysed by the UPLC-MS/MS method allowing the determination of 20 PADs. The tests showed that dyes such as crystal violet, methyl violet 2 B and rhodamine B were found in 2 out of 36 water reservoirs (0.0122-0.0594 µgL-1). The environmental risk assessment indicated that determined dyes for most model organisms did not pose a risk. Only the presence of methyl violet 2 B (0.0571 µgL-1) was related to a low risk for rohu carp, and crystal violet (0.0122-0.0209 µgL-1) showed a moderate risk for medaka fish. The occurrence of PADs was tested on a larger scale in the water samples collected from different water reservoirs in Poland. Based on obtained results, 96.3% of water samples collected from different water bodies (94.5%) were free from dyes. Thus, it could be stated that generally environmental water of Poland is contaminated with PADs at a low level. On the other hand, the presence of dyes in two samples indicates that PADs permeate the water environment, and their occurrence should be monitored.

Quantification of twenty pharmacologically active dyes in water samples using UPLC-MS/MS.

This study presents a multi-compound method for the determination of 20 pharmacologically active dyes from 5 different chemical classes in environmental water samples. These compounds, including triphenylmethane dyes (malachite green, crystal violet, brilliant green, ethyl violet, methyl violet 2B, pararosaniline, victoria blue B, victoria blue R, victoria pure blue BO), phenothiazine dyes (methylene blue, azure A, azure B, azure C, new methylene blue, thionine), phenoxazine dye (nile blue A), acridine dyes (acriflavine, proflavine) and xanthene dyes (rhodamine B, rhodamine 6G) constitute pharmacologically active substances (PASs). For the optimisation of sample preparation, different solid-phase extraction (SPE) sorbents and a wide range of pH (from 2 to 12) of water samples were tested. Finally, water samples were preconcentrated and cleaned up on diol SPE cartridges. Extracts were analysed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) operating in the positive electrospray ionisation (ESI+) mode. The chromatographic separation of the 20 pharmacologically active dyes was achieved within 5 min by using a pentafluorophenyl (F5) analytical column and mobile phases of ammonium acetate buffer (0.05 M, pH = 3.5) and acetonitrile with gradient elution. The developed method was validated proving to be suitable for the determination of all tested compounds. Limits of quantification were 0.01-0.1 µg/l, are sensitive enough to quantify very low concentration levels of the dyes in environmental water samples. The obtained recovery values for all tested analytes were between 71.2 and 104.9% with a good RSD, less than 14 % at all fortification levels. The application of the developed method to water samples allows the detection of dyes such as crystal violet, rhodamine B, and methyl violet in two wastewater samples in concentration range from 0.017 to 0.0043 µg/l).

Bee Venom Effect on Glioblastoma Cells Viability and Gelatinase Secretion.

BACKGROUND: The involvement of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the pathogenesis of various kinds of cancers including glioblastoma is well documented. The evaluation of the anticancer potential of honey bee (Apis mellifera) venom (BV) consisting of the inhibition of MMP-2 and MMP-9 secretion in a glioblastoma cell culture model was the aim of the study. METHODS: 8-MG-BA and GAMG human primary glioblastoma cell lines vs. HT-22 mouse hippocampal neuronal cells were applied for the study. The BV dose (0.5, 1.0, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2.0, 2.5, and 5.0 µg/ml) and time-dependent (24, 48, 72 h) cytotoxicity was evaluated with the tetrazolium-based colorimetric assay (MTT test). MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities in the cell culture medium under different BV concentrations were determined by gelatin zymography. RESULTS: A dose and time-dependent BV effect on cytotoxicity of both glioblastoma cell lines and hippocampus line was observed. The weakest, but statistically important effect was exerted by BV on HT-22 cells. The greatest cytotoxic effect of BV was observed on the 8-MG-BA line, where a statistically significant reduction in viability was observed at the lowest BV dose and the shortest incubation time. The reduction of both gelatinases secretion was observed at 8-MG-BA and GAMG lines without significant effect of HT-22 cell line. CONCLUSION: In vitro studies indicate that BV has both cytotoxic and inhibitory effects on the secretion of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in selected lines of glioma, suggesting anticancer properties of BV.

Synthetic organic dyes as contaminants of the aquatic environment and their implications for ecosystems: A review.

In recent years interest in the fate of chemical compounds in the aquatic environment has increased. There are many reports of the presence of chemical compounds such as pesticides, steroid hormones or antibiotics in the aquatic environment. At present, little is known about synthetic organic dyes as contaminants of water bodies. These dyes are omnipresent in many application areas from the textile, tannery, cosmetic and food industries to human and veterinary medicine. Their large-scale production and widespread applications have caused synthetic organic dyes to permeate into different compartments of water and soil environment. So far, dyes have been determined in environmental samples such as water, suspended particulate matters, sediment and wild fish. For this reason, they are considered micropollutants of aquatic ecosystems. Due to the toxicological properties and pharmacological activity of some synthetic organic dyes their occurrence in water bodies should be monitored. The hazard potential of synthetic organic dyes should be assessed, especially their influence on aquatic biota, not least because dyes in water ecosystems may pose a threat to animal or human health as higher-order consumers. This review collects scientific data considering application areas, toxicity, sources, environmental occurrence and the fate of synthetic organic dyes and the ecological implications of synthetic organic dyes presence in the total environment. Moreover, analytical methods for dye determination and methods for dye removal from wastewater are described.

Development, validation and application to real samples of a liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of tetracyclines in beeswax.

Beeswax is a valuable honeybee product, which finds applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries, as well as in cosmetic production. However, some substances used in apiculture, like tetracyclines, can be delivered to hives where they cause contamination of honeybee products such as beeswax. Tetracyclines are commonly used for the treatment of American and European foulbrood diseases, but in the European Union their usage by beekeepers is forbidden. Thus, a sensitive method for the analysis of tetracyclines in beeswax is an important analytical tool. A new liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method for the analysis of tetracyclines including oxytetracycline, 4-epioxytetracycline, tetracycline, 4-epitetracycline, chlorotetracycline, 4-epichlorotetracycline, and doxycycline in beeswax was developed. The method involved dilution of beeswax in n-hexane after a melting step, liquid-liquid extraction with oxalic acid and clean-up using a weak cation exchange phase. Satisfactory separation was performed on an octadecyl column with 0.1% formic acid and acetonitrile in a total run time of 5 min. The application of this method was evaluated by the analysis of real beeswax samples. The presence of oxytetracycline was confirmed in 5 out of 48 tested beeswax samples, which shows the method can be successfully used to determine the tetracyclines in beeswax.

Development and validation of a liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of nitroimidazole residues in beeswax.

In this study, a new method for the determination of 12 nitroimidazoles and their hydroxymetabolites (metronidazole, hydroxymetronidazole, dimetridazole, ronidazole, hydroxydimetridazole, ipronidazole, hydroxyipronidazole, carnidazole, ornidazole, secnidazole, ternidazole, tinidazole) in beeswax has been developed and validated. The optimized sample preparation procedure included melting and dilution of beeswax in a mixture of n-hexane and isopropanol followed by extraction with 2% acetic acid. The extracts were purified on strong cation exchange based solid-phase extraction cartridges and evaporated in a vacuum system with vortex motion. The separation and detection of the nitroimidazoles in the beeswax extracts were achieved within 12 min by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry using a pentafluorophenyl analytical column and applying a gradient elution with acetonitrile and 0.01% acetic acid as mobile phases. The method performance characteristics were evaluated at three concentration levels (1, 2, and 5 µg/kg) and the method was found to be suitable for determination of all tested nitroimidazoles. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.2-0.5 and 0.5-1 µg/kg, respectively. The recoveries varied from 71.2 to 104.9% while the relative standard deviations were less than 13.8% under the intermediate precision conditions.

Transfer of nitroimidazoles from contaminated beeswax to honey.

Nitroimidazoles are not authorised for the treatment of honey bees in the European Union. However, they can be found in honey largely because they are illegally used in apiculture for the treatment of Nosema. The aim of the study was to examine the possible transfer of nitroimidazoles (metronidazole, ronidazole, dimetridazole and ipronidazole) from contaminated beeswax to honey. The wax foundations fortified with a mixture of four nitroimidazoles at three concentration levels (1000, 10,000 and 100,000 µg kg-1) were placed in beehives to let the honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) draw out the contaminated wax foundations to honeycombs. At 1 month from the start, the frames filled with capped honey were removed from the hives for a first sampling of honey. Next, the honeycombs were further incubated for 5 months in the laboratory at 35°C and sampled monthly. In the sampled honey, the concentrations of nitroimidazoles and their main metabolites (hydroxymetronidazole, 2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-5-nitroimidazole, hydroxyipronidazole) were determined by LC-MS/MS and compared with those determined in the nitroimidazole-containing wax foundations. Each of the tested nitroimidazoles could migrate from beeswax to honey kept in the contaminated combs at each tested concentration level. Higher maximum concentrations of residues in honey sampled from contaminated combs at 1000, 10,000 and 100,000 µg kg-1 were observed for metronidazole (28.9, 368.5 and 2589.4 µg kg-1 respectively) and ronidazole (27.4, 232.9 and 2351.2 µg kg-1 respectively), while lower maximum concentrations were measured for dimetridazole (0.98, 8.4 and 67.7 µg kg-1) and ipronidazole (0.9, 7.9 and 35.7 µg kg-1 respectively). When we took into account that a frame completely filled with honey on both sides of the comb contained 110 g of beeswax and 2488 g of honey, and that this ratio was constant, then maximum amounts of initial metronidazole, ronidazole, dimetridazole and ipronidazole that migrated from contaminated wax foundations to honey could be calculated: 65-89%, 55-63%, 1.7-2.7% and 1.4-2.3%, respectively.

Determination of sulfonamides in beeswax by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry.

The manuscript presents the development of a new method for the quantification of 16 sulfonamides in beeswax. Different sample preparation techniques were tested and modified to maximise the recovery of the target analytes and minimise the amount of coeluted impurities under conditions that provide reproducible results. The proposed method consisted of melting and dilution of beeswax in a mixture of n-hexane and isopropanol followed by extraction with 2% acetic acid. The extract was cleaned up by solid-phase extraction using strong cation exchange phase. Determination of the sulfonamides was achieved by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry with the use of a pentafluorophenyl analytical column and applying a gradient elution with acetonitrile and 0.01% acetic acid as mobile phases. The limits of detection and limits of quantification ranged from 1 to 2µg/kg and from 2 to 5µg/kg, respectively. The recoveries varied between 65.2% and 117.8% while coefficient of variation of the method was less than 24.2% under intermediate precision conditions. Finally, the method was applied to the analysis of real samples of beeswax from beekeepers and commercial foundations manufacturers.

Tissue distribution and residue depletion of metronidazole in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

Tissue distribution and residue depletion of metronidazole (MNZ) was studied in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) following oral administration of MNZ in feed at the average dose of 25 mg kg(-1) body weight day(-1) for 7 days at 11 ± 2°C. The MNZ concentration in feed was 0.25% while daily feed intake was 1% of body weight. The concentrations of MNZ and its main metabolite, hydroxymetronidazole (MNZOH), in fish tissues were determined by LC-MS/MS. The drug was well distributed in tissues with maximum concentrations on day 1 post-administration. At this time, the mean MNZ concentrations in muscle, skin, kidney, liver and gill were 14,999, 20,269, 15,070, 10,102 and 16,467 µg kg(-1) respectively. MNZ was converted into MNZOH with the ratio of MNZOH:MNZ up to 7% in all fish tissues throughout the withdrawal period. This shows that MNZ itself is the main residue in rainbow trout. MNZ was detected at the level close to the decision limit (0.20 µg kg(-1)) in muscle, skin and muscle with adhering skin up to 42 days, while in kidney, liver and gill it was up to 28 days post-administration. MNZOH was eliminated more rapidly from fish tissues and it was present in muscle alone up to 21 days. The elimination half-lives of MNZ and MNZOH in rainbow trout tissues were 1.83-2.53 and 1.24-2.12 days, respectively. When muscle without skin was analysed, higher MNZ and MNZOH concentrations were detected, and for a longer period of time, than in muscle with adhering skin. Thus muscle alone could be more appropriate for the effective residue control of MNZ in rainbow trout. For the same reason, it is also essential to ensure direct cooling immediately after sampling, since MNZ and its metabolite degrade in fish muscle and skin stored in non-freezing conditions.

Separation and quantification of 15 carotenoids by reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detection with isosbestic wavelength approach.

The manuscript presents the development of a new reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) photo diode array detection method allowing the separation and quantification of 15 carotenoids (adonirubin, adonixanthin, astaxanthin, astaxanthin dimethyl disuccinate, asteroidenone, beta-apo-8'-carotenal, beta-apo-8'-carotenoic acid ethyl ester, beta-carotene, canthaxanthin, capsanthin, citranaxanthin, echinenone, lutein, lycopene, and zeaxanthin), 10 of which are feed additives authorised within the European Union. The developed method allows for the reliable determination of the total carotenoid content in one run using the corresponding E-isomer as calibration standard while taking into account the E/Z-isomers composition. This is a key criterion for the application of the method, since for most of the analytes included in this study analytical standards are only available for the E-isomers. This goal was achieved by applying the isosbestic concept, in order to identify specific wavelengths, at which the absorption coefficients are identical for all stereoisomers concerned. The second target referred to the optimisation of the LC conditions. By means of an experimental design, an optimised RP-HPLC method was developed allowing for a sufficient chromatographic separation of all carotenoids. The selected method uses a Suplex pKb-100 HPLC column and applying a gradient with a mixture of acetonitrile, tert-butyl-methyl ether and water as mobile phases. The limits of detection and limits of quantification ranged from 0.06 mg L(-1) to 0.14 mg L(-1) and from 0.20 mg L(-1) to 0.48 mg L(-1), respectively.

Multiresidue method for the determination of nitroimidazoles and their hydroxy-metabolites in poultry muscle, plasma and egg by isotope dilution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

A multiresidue analytical procedure for the determination of four nitroimidazoles (metronidazole, dimetridazole, ronidazole, ipronidazole) and their hydroxy-metabolites in poultry muscle, plasma and egg is presented. The procedure is based on ion-exchange solid phase extraction with acetonitrile as an extractant followed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The separation of analytes was performed on a C18 column using a mobile phase of 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid in water with gradient elution. The electrospray ionization was used to obtain the protonated molecules [M+H](+) and two product ions were monitored for each compound. For the quantification stable isotope-labelled analogues of the analytes were used as internal standards. The whole procedure was evaluated according to EU Commission Decision 2002/657/EC requirements. Specificity, decision limit (CCalpha), detection capacity (CCbeta), recovery and precision were determined during validation process. The overall recoveries ranged between 93 and 103% with a good coefficient of variation, less than 14.0% under within-laboratory reproducibility conditions. CCalpha and CCbeta were 0.05-0.44 and 0.08-0.90microgkg(-1) depending on analyte and matrix.

Rapid method for the determination of tranquilizers and a beta-blocker in porcine and bovine kidney by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry.

A fast and simple liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method for detection and confirmation of tranquilizers (chlorpromazine, propionylpromazine, acepromazine, triflupromazine, promazine, azaperone and its metabolite, azaperol) and beta-blocker (carazolol) in porcine and bovine kidney has been presented. The method relies on the extraction with acetonitrile followed by centrifugation. After evaporation of acetonitrile, the residue was reconstituted in a mobile phase and filtrated. The separation of analytes was performed on a C18 column using a mobile phase of acetonitrile and ammonium formate buffer (0.05 M, pH 4.5) with gradient elution. The electrospray ionization was used to obtain the protonated molecules [M+H](+) and two product ions were monitored for each compound. For quantification deutered internal standards were used. The whole method has been validated according to the European Union requirements. Specificity, decision limit (CCalpha), detection capability (CCbeta), trueness and precision were determined. The results showed good trueness ranged from 73.2% to 110.6% with a good R.S.D., less than 13.0% under within-laboratory reproducibility conditions. The calculated critical concentrations of CCalpha for phenothiazines were between 5.8 and 6.6 microgkg(-1) while for azaperone CCalpha was 105.5 microgkg(-1) and for azaperol was 121.4 microgkg(-1). CCalpha for carazolol was 16.7 microgkg(-1) in bovine and 21.9 microgkg(-1) in porcine kidney. CCbeta for phenothiazines were between 6.3 and 7.6 microgkg(-1), for azaperone was 119.0 microgkg(-1) and for azaperol was 140.0 microgkg(-1). For carazolol in bovine kidney CCbeta was 18.6 microgkg(-1) whereas in porcine kidney was 24.4 microgkg(-1).

Determination of malachite green and leucomalachite green residues in water using liquid chromatography with visible and fluorescence detection and confirmation by tandem mass spectrometry.

A liquid chromatography with visible and fluorescence detection (LC-vis/FLD) method for screening and a liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the confirmation of malachite green (MG) and its major metabolite, leucomalachite green (LMG) residues in water have been described. Water samples were preconcentrated on diol solid-phase extraction columns. Chromatographic separation was achieved by using phenyl-hexyl column with an isocratic mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and acetate buffer (0.05M, pH 4.5) (70:30, v/v). In screening method liquid chromatography with absorbance detector was used for the detection of MG while LMG was detected by fluorescence detector. Detectors were connected on-line that allowed direct analysis of a sample extract for MG and LMG without the need of any post-column procedure. For the confirmation of MG and LMG in water positive electrospray ionization mass spectrometry in the multiple reaction monitoring mode was used. The developed methods have been validated according to the European Union requirements (Commission Decision 2002/657/EC). For LC-vis/FLD the mean recoveries at three fortification levels (0.4, 1, and 2microgl(-1)) were in the range 95.4-104.7% for MG and 62.2-81.9% for LMG, whereas for LC-MS/MS, recoveries of MG and LMG were in the range 96.9-101.3% and 97.5-104.0%, respectively. Relative standard deviations of recoveries for both methods were less than 3.8 and 8.1% for MG and LMG, respectively. The stability of MG and LMG at 4 degrees C in darkness was observed for at least 10 months. Moreover, photo-oxidative decomposition products of analytes in water samples, observed in stability tests carried out at 20 degrees C, were identified by mass spectrometry as N-demethylated products of MG and LMG. These findings prove that N-demethylated products of MG and LMG, reported as potential carcinogens, may be formed in living fish organisms not only during enzymatic action but also during photo-oxidative degradation in water.

The effects of cooking on residues of malachite green and leucomalachite green in carp muscles.

The effects of various cooking methods (boiling, baking and microwaving) on residues of malachite green (MG) and its major metabolite, leucomalachite green (LMG), in incurred carp muscles were investigated. Moreover, the stability of MG and LMG standard solutions under boiling in water and in oil was examined. The MG and LMG residues in cooked meat were determined by liquid chromatography with visible and fluorescence detectors. The results showed that in muscles cooked by boiling or baking MG concentration was reduced by 54% in 15 min while LMG was stable in these conditions. By microwave cooking MG residues were reduced by 61% after 1 min. Microwaving was the only method of cooking when a loss of LMG was observed (40% in 1 min). Both MG and LMG standard solutions were stable in boiling water at 100 degrees C. In cooking oil, MG was reduced by 49% after 10 min and less than 3% of the original MG remains after 90 min at 150 degrees C. No losses of LMG were observed over a time period of 120 min in cooking oil at 150 degrees C. Upon increasing the temperature to 210 degrees C and holding for 120 min, MG was rapidly reduced by 97% after 10 min. LMG under the same conditions was reduced by 18% after 10 min. No further loses of MG and LMG were observed after 120 min. The findings of this investigation show that the high temperature does not guarantee a full breakdown of residue of MG and LMG which may occur in carp muscles.

Dispersive solid-phase extraction for the determination of sulfonamides in chicken muscle by liquid chromatography.

A new, fast and low-cost sample preparation for the determination of sulfonamide (SA) residues in chicken muscle by LC technique has been developed. The procedure involves single extraction of sample with acetonitrile, followed by a rapid clean-up and was called "dispersive solid-phase extraction" (dispersive SPE). Using dispersive SPE 25 mg of octadecyl sorbent was added to 1 ml of acetonitrile extract, mixed and centrifuged. The acetonitrile layer was evaporated and residue was dissolved in acetate buffer (pH 3.5). Analysed compounds were detected by fluorescence detector after pre-column derivatization with fluorescamine. The separation of analytes was performed with gradient elution with mobile phase methanol: 2% acetic acid and RP-LC analytical column. The whole procedure was evaluated for six sulfonamides (sulfadiazine, sulfamerazine, sulfamethazine, sulfametoxypirydazine, sulfametoxazole and sulfadimetoxine) according to the European Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. Specificity, decision limit (CCalpha), detection capacity (CCbeta), trueness and precision were determined during validation process. The dispersive SPE with octadecyl sorbent was found suitable for sample preparation before sulfonamide determination in chicken muscle. As it was found the most of endogenous matrix components were removed and the analytes were isolated from spiked samples with recoveries above 90%. The used analytical conditions allow to successively separate all the tested sulfonamides with the limit of detection at the level of 1-5 microg/kg. The method is simple, rapid and more effective than conventional methods.

Analytical procedure for the determination of chlortetracycline and 4-epi-chlortetracycline in pig kidneys.

A liquid chromatography-diode array detection (LC-DAD) procedure has been developed for assaying chlortetracycline (CTC) and its 4-epimer (4-epi-CTC) residues in pig kidneys. The procedure involved extraction with 0.1 M oxalic buffer followed by protein precipitation with trichloroacetic acid. Further solid-phase extraction (SPE) clean-up on a Strata X polymeric cartridge was allowed to obtain an extract suitable for LC analysis. Chromatographic separation was carried out on a C8 analytical column, using isocratic elution with methanol-acetonitrile-0.01 M oxalic acid (15:15:70, v/v/v) at ambient temperature. The flow-rate was 1.2 ml/min and the eluate was analysed at 365 nm. The whole procedure was evaluated according to the requirements of the European Union regulation 2002/657/EC determining specificity, decision limit (CCalpha), detection capacity (CCbeta), trueness, precision and robustness during validation process. The decision limit (CCalpha) was 674.8 microg/kg for CTC and 683.6 microg/kg for 4-epi-CTC. The detection capacity (CCbeta) was 683.6 and 696.3 microg/kg for CTC and 4-epi-CTC, respectively. The recoveries of CTC and 4-epi-CTC from spiked samples at the levels of 300, 600 and 900 microg/kg (0.5 x MRL, 1 x MRL and 1.5 x MRL) were higher than 70%. This method has higher throughput than reported previously extraction method with oxalic acid and acetonitrile used for dechelation and deproteinization.

Determination of malachite green and leucomalachite green in carp muscle by liquid chromatography with visible and fluorescence detection.

A liquid chromatography-VIS/FLD method for the analysis of malachite green (MG) and its major metabolite, leucomalachite green (LMG) in carp muscle has been described. The method consists in an extraction with acetonitrile-buffer mixture followed by partioning with dichloromethane. Clean up and isolation were performed on SCX solid phase extraction (SPE) column. Chromatographic separation was achieved by using phenyl-hexyl column with an isocratic mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and acetate buffer (0.05 M, pH 4.5) (60:40, v/v). Liquid chromatography with absorbance detector (lambda = 620 nm) was used for the determination of MG while LMG was detected by fluorescence detector (lambda(ex) = 265 nm and lambda(em) = 360 nm). The both detectors were connected on-line which allowed direct analysis of a sample extract for MG and LMG without the need for any post-column procedure. The whole method has been validated, according to the EU requirements (Commission Decision 2002/657/EC). Specificity, stability, decision limit (CCalpha), detection capability (CCbeta), accuracy and precision were determined. Average recoveries of MG and LMG from muscle fortified at three levels (0.5, 1 and 2 microg/kg) were 62% (range from 60.4 to 63.5%) and 90% (range from 89.0 to 91.5%), respectively. Relative standard deviations (RSD) of recoveries at all fortification levels were less than 10.9 and 8.6% for MG and LMG, respectively. The calculated CCalpha for MG and LMG were 0.15 and 0.13 microg/kg, and CCbeta were 0.37 and 0.32 microg/kg, complying with the minimum required performance limit (MRPL) of 2 microg/kg (sum of MG and LMG).