Simultaneous determination of 25 pesticides in Zizania latifolia by dispersive solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

An improved quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) method combined with ultrapressure liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometric method (UPLC-MS/MS) was developed to simultaneously determine 25 pesticides in Zizania latifolia. The samples were extracted with methanol(MeOH) and 0.1% formic acid (80:20, v/v) and cleaned with C18 absorbent and primary-secondary amine (PSA). LC separation was performed on a BEH C18 UPLC column under the condition of gradient elution with the mobile phase consisted of 0.5% formic acid (10 mM ammonium acetate)/MeOH. External standard calibration method with matrix-matched was used for quantification, and good linearity was obtained over a concentration range of 0.5-100 µg/l, with correlation coefficients greater than 0.9901. The limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantitation (LOQ) of the 25 pesticides were in the range of 0.2-1.0 µg/kg and 0.5-3.3 µg/kg, respectively. The recoveries ranged from 72% to 118%, and the relative standard deviations (RSDs) were less than 20%. Thus, the proposed method is suitable for the simultaneous determination of 25 pesticides in Z. latifolia.

Determination of ribavirin in chicken muscle by quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe method and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

A new analytical method for the determination of ribavirin in chicken muscle using a QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) method and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) was developed and validated. Samples were extracted with acidified methanol (methanol:acetic acid, 99:1, v/v). The extract was further purified by QuEChERS method using primary-secondary amine (PSA) and C18. Finally, the extract was dried by nitrogen under 45°C and reconstituted in water. The separation was performed on a Hypercarb analytical column under a gradient elution. The mobile phase was composed of water buffered with ammonium acetate (2.0mM) and acetonitrile. The proposed method was validated according to the European Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. The values of the decision limit (CCα) and the detection capability (CCß) were 1.1 and 1.5µg/kg, respectively. The mean recoveries of ribavirin ranged from 94.2% to 99.2%. The repeatability (expressed as coefficient of variation, CVr) of the method ranged from 4.5% to 4.9% and the reproducibility (CVR) of the method ranged from 4.8% to 5.4%. The method is demonstrated to be suitable for the determination of ribavirin in chicken muscle in conformity with the current EU performance requirements through validation. The total time required for the analysis of one sample, including sample preparation, was about 45min.

Simultaneous determination of sixteen amide fungicides in vegetables and fruits by dispersive solid phase extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

A modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) method using multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as a reversed-dispersive solid phase extraction (r-dSPE) material combined with ultra-high liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) was developed for the simultaneous determination of 16 novel amide fungicides in vegetables and fruits. After extraction with acetonitrile, a dSPE cleanup procedure, which was developed after the optimization of the type and amount of MWCNTs, the pH value of the extract, the extraction time for MWCNTs, and the type of eluent with MWCNTs material, was conducted. The determination of the target compounds was conducted in less than 7.0 min while the specificity is ensured through the MRM acquisition mode. The linearity of the analytical response across the studied range of concentrations (0.25-500 µg/L) was excellent, obtaining correlation coefficients higher than 0.997. The samples were quantified with the matrix matched standard solutions. The average recoveries in cabbage, celery, strawberry, and grape at three spiked levels (0.01, 0.5, and 5.0mg/kg) were ranged from 72.4 to 98.5% with all RSDs lower than 10%. The limits of detection were below 0.003 mg/kg and the limits of quantification did not exceed 0.01 mg/kg in all matrices. The method demonstrated to be suitable for the simultaneous determination of 16 novel amide fungicides in vegetables and fruits.

Degradation kinetics of the insecticide spinetoram in a rice field ecosystem.

The fate of spinetoram was studied in a rice field ecosystem, and an efficient method for the determination of spinetoram (XDE-175-J and XDE-175-L) in soil, rice straw, paddy water, husk and brown rice was developed. Spinetoram residues were extracted from samples with a salting out extraction procedure. The extracts were diluted with 0.10% formic acid in water and analysed with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) on a Waters Acquity BEH C18 column. The calibration curve was linear in the range 0.125-100 µg L(-1) and r>0.999. The average recovery was 82.9-89.0% from soil, 78.5-92.1% from rice straw, 93.6-100.3% from paddy water, 79.1-87.9% from brown rice and 72.7-82.9% from husk. The relative standard deviation (RSD) was less than 10%. These results are all within the accepted range for pesticide residue determination. The field test results showed that spinetoram degradation in paddy water, soil and rice straw coincided with C=0.0132e(-1.9685t), C=0.0308e(-0.1018t) and C=0.8530e(-0.6223t), respectively. The half-lives of spinetoram in paddy water, soil and rice straw were 0.35, 6.8 and 1.1 d, respectively. The final residue level was lower than the maximum residue limit (MRL) of 0.05 mg kg(-1) for spinetoram in rice with a harvest interval of 7d. A dosage of 450 mL ha(-1) was recommended, which can be considered safe for human beings and animals. The results of this study will contribute to establishing the scientific basis of the dosage of spinetoram for agricultural fields.

Simultaneous determination of amantadine, rimantadine and memantine in chicken muscle using multi-walled carbon nanotubes as a reversed-dispersive solid phase extraction sorbent.

A modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) method using multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as a reversed-dispersive solid phase extraction (r-dSPE) material combined with ultra-high liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) was developed for the simultaneous determination of amantadine, rimantadine and memantine in chicken muscle. The satisfactory separation of isomers (rimantadine and memantine) was obtained on an Acquity BEH C18 column (2.1 mm × 100 mm, 1.7 µm) after optimization of mobile phase composition, column temperature and flow rate. The method involved an acetonitrile-based sample preparation and a dSPE clean-up procedure with MWCNTs material. Variations in the type and amount of MWCNTs, the pH value of the extract, the extraction time for MWCNTs, and the type of eluent were used to determine the optimal parameters for increasing the sample throughput and the sensitivity. The samples were quantified using amantadine-D15, rimantadine-D4 and memantine-D6 as the internal standards. Under the optimized conditions, recoveries of 96.8-104.6% and the values of coefficient of variation (CV) of 3.8-6.4% were obtained for the three drugs in chicken muscle at three spiked levels (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 µg/kg), and the decision limits (CCα) and detection capabilities (CCß) were 0.15-0.20 µg/kg and 0.20-0.25 µg/kg, respectively. Positive results were obtained from local supermarket using this method, and the concentrations obtained from the newly developed method compared well to the previously reported method.

Development and validation of an ultra high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for simultaneous determination of sulfonamides, quinolones and benzimidazoles in bovine milk.

A simple, sensitive and reliable analytical method was developed for the simultaneous determination of 38 veterinary drugs (18 sulfonamides, 11 quinolones and 9 benzimidazoles) and 8 metabolites of benzimidazoles in bovine milk by ultra high performance liquid chromatography-positive electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS). Samples were extracted with acidified acetonitrile, cleaned up with Oasis(®) MCX cartridges, and analyzed by LC-MS/MS on an Acquity UPLC(®) BEH C18 column with gradient elution. The method allows such multi-analyte measurements within a 13min runtime while the specificity is ensured through the MRM acquisition mode. The method was validated according to the European Commission Decision 2002/657/EC determining specificity, decision limit (CCα), detection capability (CCß), recovery, precision, linearity and stability. For compounds which have MRLs in bovine milk, the CCα values fall into a range from 11 to 115µg/kg, and the CCß values fall within a range of 12-125µg/kg. For compounds which have not MRLs in bovine milk, the CCα values fall into a range from 0.01 to 0.08µg/kg, and the CCß values fall within a range of 0.02-0.11µg/kg. The mean recoveries of the 46 analytes were between 87 and 119%. The calculated RSD values of repeatability and within-laboratory reproducibility experiments were below 11% and 15% for the 46 compounds, respectively. The method was demonstrated to be suitable for the simultaneous determination of sulfonamides, quinolones and benzimidazoles in bovine milk.

Evaluation of two modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe (QuEChERS) sample preparation methods for the analysis of baclofen and gabapentin in feeds by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

This paper presents a new analytical method for the simultaneous determination of baclofen and gabapentin in feeds based on two modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe (QuEChERS) sample preparation methods and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). For the two modified QuEChERS methods, samples were first extracted with acidified acetonitrile (5.0% acetic acid, v/v) without using acetonitrile salting-out extraction. Then, the first modified QuEChERS method was established according to the original QuEChERS cleanup procedure. For the second modified QuEChERS method, the extract was evaporated to dryness and reconstituted in acetonitrile. Subsequently, the analytes in the reconstituted solution were retained by primary secondary amine (PSA) and released from PSA with 1.0% formic acid in methanol. Finally, the eluate was evaporated and dissolved in 0.1% formic acid solution/methanol (v/v, 80:20). All of the samples were analyzed by LC-MS/MS on a Waters Acquity BEH C18 column with 0.1% formic acid in water/methanol as the mobile phase with gradient elution. The matrix effect, recovery, and repeatability, within laboratory reproducibility, and the LODs and LOQs of the two modified QuEChERS sample preparation methods were investigated and compared. Comparative results showed that the second method was obviously superior to the first method.

Simultaneous determination of six resorcylic acid lactones in feed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and multi-walled carbon nanotubes as a dispersive solid phase extraction sorbent.

A simple and cost-effective pre-treatment procedure was developed for six resorcylic acid lactones (RALs) in feed using dispersive solid phase extraction (dSPE) with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The sample was analysed after purification by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-negative electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS). After extraction with acetonitrile/water (80:20, v/v) and dilution with water, a dSPE procedure was carried out with MWCNTs. The pH value of the extract, the extraction time for MWCNTs, the type and amount of MWCNTs and the type of eluent were optimised to increase the sample throughput and the sensitivity. The samples were quantified using the internal standard zearalenone-D6. The absolute recoveries of the target compounds from feed samples were most efficient when using 100mg of MWCNTs with an outer diameter of less than 8nm and a length of 10-30µm, and ethyl acetate was shown to be the most suitable solvent for desorbing the target compounds from the MWCNTs. The mean recoveries from fortified swine mixed feed samples ranged from 95.3% to 107.2% and had relative standard deviations lower than 10%; the limits of detection and quantification for RALs were in the ranges of 0.20-0.29µg/kg and 0.54-0.78µg/kg, respectively.

Development and validation of an ultra high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for determination of 10 cephalosporins and desacetylcefapirin in milk.

A simple, sensitive and reliable analytical method was developed for the simultaneous determination of 10 cephalosporins and desacetylcefapirin in bovine milk by ultra high performance liquid chromatography-positive electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS). Samples were directly purified through HLB cartridge after dilution with 50mM phosphate buffer solution (pH 8.5). Then the eluate was dried under nitrogen and the residue was redissolved in mobile phase. Samples were analyzed by LC-MS/MS on an Acquity UPLC BEH Shield RP18 column with gradient elution. The samples were quantified using ceftiofur-D3 as internal standard. The proposed method was validated according to the European Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. The CCα values were 111, 0.04, 140, 55, 55, 67, 23, 23, 68, 0.10 and 113µg/kg for cefalexin, cefradine, cefacetrile, cefazolin, cefoperazone, cefapirin, cefalonium, cefquinome, desacetylcefapirin, cefotaxime and ceftiofur, respectively. The mean recoveries, repeatability (expressed as coefficient of variation, CVr), and reproducibility (CVR) varied from 94.6% to 117.1%, from 5.6% to 13.6% (CVr), and from 5.9% to 27.9% (CVR), respectively. The method is demonstrated to be suitable for the determination of 10 cephalosporins and desacetylcefapirin in bovine milk. The total time required for the analysis of one sample, including sample preparation, was about 40min.

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes-dispersive solid-phase extraction combined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for the analysis of 18 sulfonamides in pork.

A simple and cost-effective pre-treatment procedure was developed for 18 sulfonamides in pork using dispersive solid phase extraction (dSPE) with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The sample was analysed after purification by ultra high-performance liquid chromatography-positive electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS). After extraction with phosphate buffer (pH 6.0), a dSPE procedure was conducted with MWCNTs. The pH value of the extract, extraction time with MWCNTs, type and amount of MWCNTs and type of eluent were optimised to increase the sample throughput and sensitivity. The samples were quantified using sulfamethazine-(13)C6 as an internal standard. The recoveries of the target compounds from the pork samples were most efficient when 150mg of MWCNTs with an outer diameter of less than 8nm and a length of 0.5-2µm was used. A mixture of acetonitrile/50mM ammonium acetate (95:5, v/v) was shown to be the most suitable solvent for desorbing the compounds from the MWCNTs. The proposed method was validated according to the European Commission Decision 2002/657/EC, which determines linearity, specificity, decision limit (CCα), detection capability (CCß), recovery, precision and stability.

Simultaneous determination of carbamate insecticides and mycotoxins in cereals by reversed phase liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry using a quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe extraction procedure.

A simple, sensitive and reliable analytical method was developed for the simultaneous determination of 22 carbamate insecticides and 17 mycotoxins in cereals by ultra high performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS). Carbamates and mycotoxins were extracted from cereal samples using a QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) procedure without any further clean-up step. The extract was diluted with water containing 0.1% formic acid and 5.0mM ammonium acetate, and analyzed by LC-MS/MS on a Waters Acquity BEH C(18) column with water (0.1% formic acid, 0.50mM ammonium acetate)/methanol as mobile phase with gradient elution. Matrix-matched calibration was used for quantification. Blank samples (rice, wheat and corn) were fortified at 5, 10 and 50 µg/kg except for five zearalenonic compounds at 25, 50 and 250 µg/kg, and recoveries were in the range of 70-120%. Relative standard deviations were lower than 20% in all cases. The LOQ values were in the range of 0.20-29.7 µg/kg. The method is suitable for the simultaneous determination of carbamate insecticides and mycotoxins in cereals. The total time required for the analysis of one sample, including sample preparation, was about 35 min.

Degradation of metaflumizone in rice, water and soil under field conditions.

The degradation behavior of metaflumizone was studied in a rice field ecosystem, and a simple and reliable analytical method was developed for determination of metaflumizone in soil, rice straw, paddy water and brown rice. Metaflumizone residues were extracted from samples with acetonitrile. The extract was cleaned up with QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) method, and determined by liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). The average recoveries of metaflumizone were 75.2-105.1 percent from soil, rice straw, paddy water and brown rice. The relative standard deviations were less than 15 percent. The limits of quantitation (LOQs) of metaflumizone were 3.0µg/L for paddy water and 3.0µg/kg for other samples. The results of the kinetic study of metaflumizone residue showed that metaflumizone degradation in soil, water and rice straw coincided with C=0.08564e(-0.0505t), C=0.04984e(-0.1982t), C=2.2572e(-0.1533t), respectively; the half-lives were about 13.7d, 3.5d, and 4.5d, respectively. The final residues of metaflumizone on brown rice were lower than maximum residue limit (MRL) of 0.05mg/kg after 28d Pre-Harvest Interval (PHI) at the recommended dosage. Therefore, a dosage of 450mLa.i.ha(-1) with 28 days before harvest was recommended, which could be considered as safe to human beings and animals.

Simultaneous determination of 10 ß2-agonists in swine urine using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and multi-walled carbon nanotubes as a reversed dispersive solid phase extraction sorbent.

A simple and inexpensive pretreatment procedure was developed for 10 ß2-agonists (clenbuterol, ractopamine, salbutamol, bambuterol, penbuterol, tulobuterol, clorprenaline, mabuterol, cimaterol and terbutaline) in swine urine using dispersive solid phase extraction (dSPE) with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The sample was analysed after purification by ultra high performance liquid chromatography-positive electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS). The pH value of the swine urine, extraction time, type and amount of MWCNTs and type of eluent were optimised to increase the sample throughput and sensitivity. The samples were quantified using clenbuterol-D9, ractopamine-D6 and salbutamol-D3 as internal standards. The recoveries of the target compounds from swine urine samples at pH 10.0 were most efficient when using 20 mg of MWCNTs with a 30-50 nm outer diameter and a length of 10-30 µm, while a mixture of water/methanol (90:10, v/v) with 0.5% formic acid was shown to be the most suitable solvent for desorbing the compounds from the MWCNTs. The proposed method was validated according to the European Commission Decision 2002/657/EC, which determines linearity, specificity, decision limit (CCα), detection capability (CCß), recovery, precision and stability.

Determination of phenylethanolamine A in animal hair, tissues and feeds by reversed phase liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry with QuEChERS.

A simple, sensitive and reliable analytical method was developed for the determination of a new beta-agonist phenylethanolamine A in animal hair, tissues and animal feeds by ultra high performance liquid chromatography-positive electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS) with QuEChERS. Samples were extracted with acetonitrile/water (80:20, v/v). The extract was purified through QuEChERS method, then was dried with nitrogen and residues were redissolved in mobile phase for hair sample or directly diluted with 0.1% formic acid in water for other samples, and analyzed by LC-MS/MS on a Waters Acquity BEH C(18) column with 0.1% formic acid in water/methanol as mobile phase with gradient elution. The samples were quantified using phenylethanolamine A-D(3) as internal standards. The proposed method was validated according to the European Commission Decision 2002/657/EC determining specificity, decision limit (CCα), detection capability (CCß), recovery, precision, linearity, robustness and stability. The CCα values ranged from 0.10 to 0.26 µg/kg. The CCß values ranged from 0.20 to 0.37 µg/kg. The mean recoveries of 95.4-108.9% with intra-day CVs of 2.2-5.6% and inter-day CVs of 3.1-6.2% were obtained. The method is demonstrated to be suitable for the determination of phenylethanolamine A in animal hair, tissues and animal feeds. The total time required for the analysis of one sample except animal hair sample, including sample preparation, was about 25 min.

Rapid determination of fumonisins B1 and B2 in corn by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with ultrasonic extraction.

A simple, sensitive, and reliable analytical method is developed for the rapid determination of fumonisin B(1) and fumonisin B(2) in corn by high-performance liquid chromatography-positive electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS-MS). Fumonisin B(1) and fumonisin B(2) are extracted from corn with methanol-water (3:1, v/v) by means of ultrasonic extraction, and directly injected into an LC-MS-MS system after centrifugation. Fumonisin B(1) and fumonisin B(2) are separated on a Zorbax Eclipse XDB-C(18) column with a solution of methanol-water-formic acid as the mobile phase. The method is validated with respect to linearity, accuracy, precision, specificity, and stability. Moreover, the method was applied to real samples and demonstrated to be suitable for the determination of fumonisin B(1) and fumonisin B(2) in corn. The total time required for the analysis of one sample was ~30 min.

Residues of chlorantraniliprole in rice field ecosystem.

The fate of chlorantraniliprole was studied in rice field ecosystem, and a simple and reliable analytical method was developed for determination of chlorantraniliprole in soil, rice straw, paddy water and brown rice. Chlorantraniliprole residues were extracted from samples with acetonitrile. The extract was cleaned up with QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) method, and determined by high-performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). The average recoveries were 76.9-82.4% from soil, 83.6-89.3% from rice straw, 95.2-103.1% from paddy water and 84.9-87.7% from brown rice. The relative standard deviation was less than 15%. The limits of detection (LODs) of chlorantraniliprole calculated as a sample concentration (S/N ratio of 3) were 0.012 µg L(-1) for paddy water, 0.15 µg kg(-1) for soil, brown rice and rice straw. The results of the kinetics study of chlorantraniliprole residue showed that chlorantraniliprole degradation in soil, water and rice straw coincided with C=0.01939e(-0.0434t), C=0.01425e(-0.8111t), and C=1.171e(-0.198t), respectively; the half-lives were about 16.0 d, 0.85 d and 3.50 d, respectively. The degradation rate of chlorantraniliprole in water was the fastest, followed by rice straw. The final residues of chlorantraniliprole on brown rice were lower than maximum residue limit (MRL) of 0.02 mg kg(-1) after 14 d Pre-Harvest Interval (PHI). Therefore, a dosage of 150 mL a.i.hm(-2) was recommended, which could be considered as safe to human beings and animals.

Simultaneous determination of flonicamid and its metabolites in vegetables using QuEChERS and reverse-phase liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

This paper presents a rapid analytical method for the simultaneous determination of flonicamid and its metabolites N-(4-trifluoromethylnicotinoyl) glycine (TFNG), 4-trifluoromethylnicotinic acid (TFNA), and 4-trifluoromethylnicotinamide (TFNA-AM) in vegetables using QuEChERS by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Samples were extracted with acetonitrile. The extract was purified through QuEChERS method with primary secondary amine (PSA) and graphite carbon black (GCB). Then the extract was diluted with 0.1% formic acid in water, and analyzed by LC-MS/MS on a Waters Acquity BEH C18 column with methanol/0.1% formic acid in water as mobile phase with gradient elution. The linearity of the analytical response across the studied range of concentrations (0.20-500 µg/L) was excellent, obtaining correlation coefficients higher than 0.998. No significant matrix effects were observed. Recovery studies were carried out on spiked spinach and cucumber blank samples, at four concentration levels (0.01, 0.05, 0.50 and 2.0 mg/kg) performing six replicates at each level. Mean recoveries of 81.3-94.8% with CVs of 2.4-7.0% were obtained. The method demonstrated to be suitable for the simultaneous determination of flonicamid and its metabolites in vegetables.

Simultaneous determination of clenbuterol, chloramphenicol and diethylstilbestrol in bovine milk by isotope dilution ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

A simple and sensitive analytical method was developed for the simultaneous determination of clenbuterol, chloramphenicol and diethylstilbestrol in bovine milk by isotope dilution ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Samples were directly purified through HLB cartridge. The organic phase was dried under nitrogen and residues were redissolved in mobile phase. Samples were analyzed by UPLC-MS/MS on an Acquity UPLC® BEH C(18) column with gradient elution. The samples were quantified using clenbuterol-D(9), chloramphenicol-D(5) and diethylstilbestrol-D(8) as internal standards. The proposed method was validated according to the European Union regulation 2002/657/EC determining specificity, decision limit (CCα), detection capability (CCß), trueness, precision, linearity and stability. The method is demonstrated to be suitable for the determination of clenbuterol, chloramphenicol and diethylstilbestrol in bovine milk. The total time required for the analysis of one sample was about 50min.

Simultaneous determination of clenbuterol, salbutamol and ractopamine in milk by reversed-phase liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry with isotope dilution.

A simple, sensitive and reliable analytical method was developed for the simultaneous determination of clenbuterol (CLB), salbutamol (SAL) and ractopamine (RAC) in milk by ultra high performance liquid chromatography-positive electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS) with isotope dilution. Samples were directly purified through HLB cartridge. Then the eluate was dried under nitrogen and residues were redissolved in mobile phase. Samples were analyzed by LC-MS/MS on an Acquity UPLC(®) BEH C(18) column with gradient elution. The samples were quantified using clenbuterol-D(9), salbutamol-D(3) and ractopamine-D(6) as internal standards. The proposed method was validated according to the European Commission Decision 2002/657/EC determining specificity, decision limit (CCα), detection capability (CCß), recovery, precision, linearity, robustness and stability. CCα values were 0.054, 0.006 and 0.008µg/kg for CLB, SAL and RAC, respectively. CCß values were 0.058, 0.007 and 0.009µg/kg for CLB, SAL and RAC, respectively. The mean recoveries, repeatability (expressed as coefficient of variation, CV(r)), and reproducibility (CV(R)) varied from 95.8 to 106.2%, from 3.60 to 6.44% (CVr), and from 4.77 to 7.53% (CV(R)), respectively. The method is demonstrated to be suitable for the determination of clenbuterol, salbutamol and ractopamine in milk. The total time required for the analysis of one sample, including sample preparation, was about 45min.

Development and validation of a confirmatory HPLC method for simultaneous determination of Sudan dyes in animal tissues and eggs.

A simple and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analytical method for the simultaneous determination of six Sudan dyes (Sudan Red G, Sudan I, Sudan II, Sudan III, Sudan Red 7B, Sudan IV) in animal tissues and eggs was developed. Samples were extracted with acetonitrile followed by a cleanup using a C(18) solid-phase extraction column. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a Zorbax SB-C(18) column under gradient conditions. The analytes were detected at 510 nm by HPLC with diode array detection. Specificity, decision limit (CCalpha), detection capacity (CCbeta), accuracy, and precision were determined during validation process. Recoveries for six Sudan dyes from three animal tissues and eggs were 77.2-98.0% with excellent relative standard deviations. CCalpha and CCbeta were in the range of 7.7-9.0 microg/kg and 9.1-10.3 microg/kg, respectively. The limits of quantitations were between 12.8 microg/kg and 15.0 microg/kg.