Development and validation of an HPLC confirmatory method for the determination of seven tetracycline antibiotics residues in milk according to the European Union Decision 2002/657/EC

An HPLC method with diode-array detection, at 355 nm, was developed and validated for the determination of seven tetracyclines (TCs) in milk: minocycline (MNC), TC, oxytetracycline (OTC), methacycline (MTC), demeclocycline (DMC), chlortetracycline (CTC), and doxycycline (DC). Oxalate buffer (pH 4) was used with 20% TCA as a deproteinization agent for the extraction of analytes from milk followed by SPE. The separation was achieved on an Inertsil ODS-3, 5 microm, 250 x 4 mm(2 )analytical column at ambient temperature. The mobile phase, a mixture of A: 0.01 M oxalic acid and B: CH(3)CN, was delivered using a gradient program. The procedure was validated according to the European Union decision 2002/657/EC determining selectivity, stability, decision limit, detection capability, accuracy, and precision. Mean recoveries of TCs from spiked milk samples (50, 100, and 200 ng/g) were 93.8-100.9% for MNC, 96.8-103.7% for OTC, 96.3-101.8% for TC, 99.4-107.2% for DMC, 99.4-102.9% for CTC, 96.3-102.7% for MTC, and 94.6-102.1% for DC. All RSD values were lower than 8.5%. The decision limits CC(a) calculated by spiking 20 blank milk samples at MRL (100 microg/kg) ranged from 101.25 to 105.84 microg/kg, while detection capability CC(b )from 103.94 to 108.88 microg/kg.     

Development and validation of an HPLC method for the determination of penicillin antibiotics residues in bovine muscle according to the European Union Decision 2002/657/EC

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for the determination of five penicillins: penicillin G (PENG), penicillin V (PENV), oxacillin (OX), cloxacillin (CLO), and dicloxacillin (DICLO), in bovine muscle. Samples were macerated with a mixture of H(2)O/CH(3)CN (1:1) and purified using RP-8 Adsorbex SPE cartridges after centrifugation, with mean recovery from spiked samples higher than 89%. The separation of the examined penicillins was achieved on an analytical column, an Inertsil C8 5 microm, 250x4 mm(2), at ambient temperature. The mobile phase consisted of 0.1% TFA/ACN 50:50 v/v delivered isocratically at a flow rate of 1.1 mL/min. Analytes were monitored at 240 nm. The procedure was validated according to the European Union Decision 2002/657/EC by means of selectivity, stability, decision limit, detection capability, accuracy, and precision. Method's LOQ values achieved were 54 microg/kg for PENG and DICLO, 46 microg/kg for PENV, 16 microg/kg for OX, and 43 microg/kg for DICLO. The detection capabilities (CC(beta)) were 73.6 microg/kg for PENG, 29.1 microg/kg for PENV, 350.6 microg/kg for OX, 379.9 microg/kg for CLO, and 355.8 microg/kg for DICLO. The method was applied to various samples from the local market. Two penicillins were identified by photodiode array (PDA) detection and quantified.     

Validation of a high-performance liquid chromatography method for the determination of oxytetracycline,tetracycline, chlortetracycline and doxycycline in bovine milk and muscle

High-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD) was optimised and validated for the determination of tetracyclines in bovine milk and tissues. Milk and tissue samples were extracted and purified using a solid-phase extraction HLB Oasis cartridge and analysed using HPLC-DAD set at 365 nm. The analyses were carried out using the mobile phase of 0.01 M oxalic acid-acetonitrile-methanol (60:25:15, v/v/v) on a C8 column (250 x 4.6 mm I.D., 5 microm). Recoveries of tetracyclines from spiked samples at the three concentrations (0.5, 1 and 1.5) of the maximum residues limits (corresponding to 100 microg/kg for milk and the muscle) were higher than 81.1% in milk and 83.2% in muscle. The method was successfully validated for bovine milk and muscle in compliance with requirements set by draft SANCO/ 1805/ 2000 European Decision. The decision limit (CCalpha) was in the range 113.2-127.2 microg/kg and 107.7-129.9 micro/kg for all compounds in milk and muscle, respectively. The detection capability (CCbeta) was in the range 117.2-131.3 microg/kg and 114.9-133.1 microg/kg for all compounds in milk and muscle, respectively.     

Development of an HPLC multi-residue method for the determination of ten quinolones in bovine liver and porcine kidney according to the European Union Decision 2002/657/EC

A sensitive multi-residue analytical method was developed for the determination of ten quinolones: enoxacin, ofloxacin, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, danofloxacin, enrofloxacin, sarafloxacin, oxolinic acid, nalidixic acid, and flumequine in bovine liver and porcine kidney. A simple liquid extraction step followed by a solid phase extraction clean up procedure was applied for the extraction of quinolones from liver and kidney tissues. Recoveries of the extraction varied between 82 and 88% for bovine liver and 92 and 95% for porcine kidney. Separation was performed on an ODS-3 PerfectSil Target (250 x 4 mm) 5 microm analytical column at 25 degrees C. The mobile phase consisted of a mixture of TFA 0.1%-CH(3)CN-CH(3)OH, delivered at a flow rate of 1.2 mL/min according to a gradient program. Elution of quinolones and the internal standard (caffeine, 7.5 ng/microL) was complete within 27 min. Photodiode array detection was used for monitoring the eluants at 275 and 255 nm. The method was fully validated according to the European Union Decision 2002/657/EC, determining linearity, selectivity, decision limit, detection capability, accuracy, and precision. The LODs of the specific method of quinolone determination in bovine liver varied between 3 and 7 microg/kg and in porcine kidney between 3 and 4 microg/kg.     

Validation of a confirmatory method for the determination of sulphonamides in muscle according to the European Union regulation 2002/657/EC

A simple multiresidue method is described for assaying 10 sulphonamides (SAs) (sulfadiazine, sulfathiazole, sulfapyridine, sulfamerazine, sulfamethazine, sulfamonomethoxine, sulfachlorpyridazine, sulfamethoxazole, sulfaquinoxaline and sulfadimethoxine) in muscle samples. Samples were prepared by homogenizing the tissue, extracting with ethyl acetate and cleaning up with a cation-exchange solid-phase extraction (SPE) column. The detection of analytes was achieved by HPLC-diode array detection (DAD) at 270 nm. The procedure was validated according to the European Union regulation 2002/657/EC determining specificity, decision limit, detection capability, trueness and precision. The results of validation process demonstrate that the method is suitable for application in European Union statutory veterinary drug residue surveillance programmes.     

Validation of a Biacore method for screening eight sulfonamides in milk and porcine muscle tissues according to European decision 2002/657/EC

Sulfonamides are commonly used for prophylactic or therapeutic purposes in veterinary medicine. A maximum residue limit (MRL) for sulfonamides has been set at 100 microg/kg in milk and muscle. A multisulfonamide antibody was used for the development of 2 different Biacore protocols, one for the screening of milk samples, the other for muscle samples. Two different Biacore systems were used: Biacore X system (milk protocol), which is considered a research and development apparatus, and Biacore 3000 system (muscle protocol), which is a completely automated system used for high-throughput screening. This report describes the validation of semiquantitative immunological methods according to the European Decision 2002/657/EC "concerning the performance of analytical methods." The different performance characteristics (detection capability CCbeta, specificity/selectivity, precision, stability, and applicability) were determined in relation to the European Union MRL of 100 microg/kg for sulfonamides. The applicability of the method to porcine, bovine, and poultry muscle was studied. The detection capabilities CCbeta were calculated to be 40 microg/L in milk and 60 microg/kg in porcine, bovine, and poultry muscles. Eight different sulfonamides, of which 3 (sulfamethazine, sulfamerazine, and sulfadiazine) are authorized in France, were detected simultaneously, at or below the MRL level, with both Biacore systems.     

Development and validation of an HPLC method for the determination of ten sulfonamide residues in milk according to 2002/657/EC

A HPLC method with diode-array detection, at 265 nm, was developed and validated for the determination of ten sulfonamides (SAs): sulfadiazine (SDZ), sulfathiazine (STZ), sulfamethoxine (SMTH), sulfamethizole (SMZ), sulfamethoxypyridazine (SMPZ), sulfamonomethoxine (SMMX), sulfamethoxazole (SMXZ), sulfisoxazole (SIX), sulfadimethoxine (SDMX), and sulfaquinoxaline (SQX) in milk. A mixture of ethyl acetate, n-hexane, and isopropanol was used for the extraction of target analytes from milk. The mobile phase, a mixture of 0.1% v/v formic acid, CH(3) CN, and CH(3) OH was delivered to the analytical column under a gradient program. The procedure was validated according to the European Union regulation 2002/657/EC in terms of selectivity, stability, decision limit, detection capability, accuracy, and precision. Mean recoveries of sulfonamides from milk samples spiked at three concentration levels (0.5×MRL, 1×MRL, and 1.5×MRL) (MRL, maximum residue level) were 93.9-115.9% for SDZ, 97.8-102.9% for STZ, 94.6-107.0% for SMTH, 98.3-111.5% for SMZ, 95.3-108.4% for SMPZ, 97.9-106.0% for SMMX, 97.6-111.3% for SMXZ, 94.3-104.6% for SIX, 96.4-109.1% for SDMX, and 98.2-111.2% for SQX. All RSD values were lower than 8.8%. The decision limits CCa calculated by spiking 20 blank milk samples at MRL (100 μg/kg) ranged from 101.61 to 106.84 μg/kg, whereas the detection capability CCb ranged from 105.64 to 119.01 μg/kg.     

Determination of enrofloxacin and its metabolite ciprofloxacin in goat milk by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection. Optimization and validation

A high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection method (HPLC-DAD) combined with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was developed for the determination of enrofloxacin and its metabolite ciprofloxacin in goat milk. The HPLC-DAD method validation was compliant with the "DG SANCO 1805/2000" European regulation. The residues were extracted from milk with phosphate buffer, purified on a C18 Speedisk cartridge SPE (Baker) and then analysed using HPLC-DAD set at 277 nm. The decision limit (CCa) calculated by spiking samples at 100 microg/kg with both analytes, taking into account the maximum residue limit (MRL) of 100 microg/kg established by the European Union for the sum of enrofloxacin and its metabolite ciprofloxacin in milk, was 105.3 microg/kg for enrofloxacin and 105.5 microg/kg for ciprofloxacin. The detection capability (CCbeta) was 110.7 and 110.9 microg/kg for enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin, respectively. The mean recoveries of the method, calculated by spiking samples at 50, 100 and 150 microg/kg were 84% for enrofloxacin and 88% for ciprofloxacin. The limit of quantification was 20 microg/kg for both analytes. The HPLC-DAD validated method was successfully applied for the first time in goats milk, and proved to be suitable for the sensitive and accurate quantification and confirmation analysis of enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin for regulatory purposes.     

Determination of residues of enrofloxacin and its metabolite ciprofloxacin in chicken muscle by capillary electrophoresis using laser-induced fluorescence detection

A method for the residue analysis of the veterinary antimicrobial agent enrofloxacin and its active desethyl metabolite ciprofloxacin in chicken muscle tissue has been developed and validated. The detection of the analytes was performed by laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection using a HeCd laser (lambda(ex) = 325 nm) providing an enhancement in sensitivity and selectivity compared to conventional UV detection. The assay has been validated with satisfying results. The limits of quantification for enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin were 5 microg/kg and 20 microg/kg, respectively, with a fivefold preconcentration yielded by a sample clean-up with a simple liquid-liquid extraction procedure. Calibration graphs were linear from 5 to 1000 microg/kg for enrofloxacin and from 20 to 1000 microg/kg for ciprofloxacin. The assay allows the detection of contaminated muscle samples at the required maximum residue limit of the European Union, which is 100 microg/kg for the sum of enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin.     

液相色谱-串联质谱法测定鸡肌肉组织中的四环素类药物残留

建立了一种专属、灵敏的方法,用于同时检测鸡肌肉组织中土霉素、四环素和金霉素的残留。首先对鸡肌肉组织中的四环素类药物进行提取,再经C18固相萃取柱净化,采用电喷雾离子源,以正离子检测方式进行质谱分析。实验结果表明,在25～500 μg/L这一质量浓度范围内上述3种四环素类药物均呈线性,其相关系数r＞0.99。在低、中、高3个质量浓度添加水平,3种四环素类药物的平均回收率为72.4%～94.9%,相对标准偏差小于11%。3种四环素类药物的检测限均可达到10 μg/kg。其方法学考察符合农牧发［2003］1号文件的有关规定。     

Multiresidue method for simultaneous determination of ten quinolone antibacterial residues in multimatrix/multispecies animal tissues by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection: single laboratory validation study

Quinolone antibacterials are veterinary drugs authorized for use in food animal production. The analysis of residual amounts of drugs in food from animal origin is important for quality control of products for consumers. For this purpose, Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) have been set up by a European Union Council Regulation on Veterinary Drug Residues (No. 90/2377/EEC and subsequent), and 8 quinolones received MRLs at concentration levels depending on both the matrix and the animal species of interest. A method was developed for screening and confirming 10 quinolone residues (ciprofloxacin, danofloxacin, difloxacin, enrofloxacin, flumequine, marbofloxacin, nalidixic acid, norfloxacin, oxolinic acid, sarafloxacin) in a wide variety of matrixes of different animal species. It involves extraction of the residues from the biological tissues/fluids by acidic aqueous solution, centrifugation and filtration prior to injection on a C18 narrow-bore column, and detection through a 3-step-mode fluorescence detector. The method was validated during a 2-week study for a set of 8 species-matrixes (i.e., bovine raw milk, bovine muscle, porcine muscle, porcine kidney, porcine liver, fish flesh and skin, poultry muscle, whole egg). Residues were quantified down to 15 microg/kg with limits of detection and quantitation ranging from 4 to 11 and 13 to 36 microg/kg, respectively, which are sufficient compared to the wide range of MRLs set for these substances (from 30 microg/kg for danofloxacin in milk to 1900 microg/kg for difloxacin in poultry liver). The limit of performance of the method in terms of CCalpha and CCbeta, the critical concentrations stated in the Decision No. 2002/657/EC and the ISO Standard No. 11843, has been calculated for the authorized (MRL) substances but only estimated in the case of the nonauthorized (non-MRL) substances.     

Validated method for determination of ultra-trace closantel residues in bovine tissues and milk by solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry

A liquid chromatographic-electrospray ionisation-tandem mass spectrometry method (LC-ESI-MS/MS) with solid extraction was developed and validated for the detection and determination of closantel residues in bovine tissues and milk. An acetonitrile-acetone mixture (80:20, v/v) was used for one-stage extraction of closantel residues in bovine tissues and milk samples, and the extract was cleaned by solid phase extraction with Oasis MAX cartridges. The mass spectrometer was operated in multiple reactions monitoring mode with negative electrospray interface. The limits of detection in different matrices were in the range of 0.008-0.009 microg/kg. The overall recoveries for bovine muscle, liver, kidney and milk samples spiked at four levels including MRL were in the range of 76.0-94.3%. The overall relative standard deviations were in the range of 3.57-8.61%. The linearity is satisfactory with a correlation coefficient (r(2)) of 0.9913-0.9987 at both concentration ranges of 0.02-100 microg/kg and 200-5000 microg/kg. The method is capable of identifying closantel residues at > or =0.02 microg/kg levels and was applied in the determination of closantel residues in animal origin foods.     

Use of capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection to screen and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry to confirm sulfonamide residues: Validation according to European Union 2002/657/EC

A multiresidue method is described for determining six sulfonamides (SAs) (sulfadiazine, sulfathiazole, sulfamethazine, sulfamethoxazole, sulfaquinoxaline and sulfadimethoxine) in liver by a capillary electrophoresis screening method and a liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry confirmatory assay. Samples were prepared by homogenizing the tissue, with sodium hydroxide and acetonitrile. After evaporation, extracts were injected in the capillary electrophoresis system or mass spectrometry system for confirmatory analysis. The detection of analytes was achieved by laser-induced fluorescence in capillary electrophoresis. Procedures were validated according to the European Union regulation 2002/657/EC determining specificity, selectivity and detection capability for screening method and decision limit, detection capability, specificity, selectivity, trueness and precision for confirmation method. The results of validation process demonstrate that the method is suitable for application in Brazilian statutory veterinary drug residue surveillance programs. Capillary electrophoresis was proved to be a fast, robust method with low time and reagents consumption.     

Performance characteristics of an analytical procedure for determining chloramphenicol residues in muscle tissue by gas chromatography-electron capture detection

Validation of an analytical method for determining chloramphenicol residues in muscle tissue by gas chromatography-electron capture detection (GC-ECD) was performed according to the latest European Union criteria for the analysis of veterinary drugs in food, laid down by Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. The method using the meta isomer of chloramphenicol as an internal standard proved to be very selective, specific to other related phenicols and accurate to within +3.6% at a concentration level of 8.9 microg/kg, as present in the certified reference material available. The correlation coefficient of the calibration curve was 0.9991. At all three fortification levels studied (0.3, 0.45 and 0.6 microg/kg), repeatability and intra-laboratory reproducibility were <8 and < or =9%, respectively. The decision limit (CCalpha) and detection capability (CCbeta) were 0.07 and 0.12 microg/kg, respectively. The validation results and the results of participation in an international inter-laboratory proficiency test indicate that the method presented is completely suited for regulatory control to screen and quantify chloramphenicol residues in various muscle tissues on a routine basis.     

Development and validation of an HPLC confirmatory method for residue analysis of ten quinolones in tissues of various food-producing animals, according to the European Union Decision 2002/657/EC

The aim of this work was to develop an HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of ten quinolones: enoxacin, ofloxacin, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, danofloxacin, enrofloxacin, sarafloxacin, oxolinic acid, nalidixic acid, and flumequine, in various tissues of food-producing animals. Separation was achieved on a PerfectSil Target column (250 mm x 4 mm, ODS-3, 5 microm), by MZ-Analysentechnik (Germany), at room temperature. The mobile phase consisted of 0.1% TFA-CH(3)OH-CH(3)CN and was delivered by a gradient program of 35 min. The detection and quantitation was performed on a photodiode array detector at 275 and 255 nm. Caffeine (7.5 ng/microL) was used as the internal standard (IS). Analytes were isolated from tissue samples by 0.1% methanolic TFA solution. SPE, using LiChrolut RP-18 cartridges, was applied for further purification. The extraction protocol was optimized and the final recoveries varied between 92.0 and 107.4%. The method was fully validated according to Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. Limits of quantitation for the examined quinolones extracted from each tissue were much lower than the respective Maximum Residue Levels, ranging between 30 and 50 microg/kg for bovine tissue, between 30 and 55 microg/kg for ovine tissue, and between 40 and 50 microg/kg for porcine tissue.     

Rapid method for the determination of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in animal tissue by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry with ion-trap detector

A rapid and new liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry with ion-trap detection method for the determination of meloxicam (MLX), flunixin meglumine (FLU), carprofen (CPF), and tolfenamic acid (TOLF) in animal tissue is described. MRLs between 10 and 500 microg kg(-1) in muscle and between 65 and 1000 microg kg(-1) in liver, from different animal species have been established in the EU for these compounds. After chemical hydrolysis, an organic extraction from homogenised tissue was performed. Final extract was injected in a liquid chromatograph with an ion-trap mass spectrometer with electrospray interface. Four identification points (one precursor and two product ions) and a minimum of one ion ratio was monitored for each compound. For quantitative purposes flunixin-D3 (FLU-D3) was used as internal standard. The method was validated using fortified blank muscle and liver from different animal species according to the 2002/657/EC European decision criteria. The decision limits (CCalpha) and detection capabilities (CCbeta) were determined and their values were at concentrations near the MRL for each substance.     

Detection of streptomycin and dihydrostreptomycin residues in milk,honey and meat samples using an optical biosensor

Immuno-biosensor inhibition assays for the detection of streptomycin and dihydrostreptomycin residues in whole cows' milk, honey, pig kidney and pig muscle are reported. The antibody showed high cross-reactivity with dihydrostreptomycin in various foodstuffs (buffer 103%, milk 96%, honey 84%, kidney extract 129% and muscle extract 98%). There was no significant cross-reaction with other aminoglycosides or commonly used antibiotics. A streptomycin derivative was used to prepare a stable, reusable sensor chip surface. The assay allowed the direct analysis of bovine whole milk (fat content approximately 3.5%). Honey samples required dilution with buffer, while kidney and muscle samples from pigs were homogenized in an aqueous extraction buffer and clarified by centrifugation. The limit of detection for each assay was determined from known streptomycin-free samples (n = 20; mean - (3 x standard deviation)) and the results were as follows: milk 30 microg kg(-1), honey 15 microg kg(-1), kidney 50 microg kg(-1) and muscle 70 microg kg(-1). Repeatability (or relative standard deviation) between runs were calculated (n = 3) at the respective Community maximum residue limits (MRL) and 0.5 x MRL with the exception of honey since no European MRL exists at present. Results were determined as 4.3% (200 microg kg(-1)) and 2.8% (100 microg kg(-1)) in milk, 13.3% (40 microg kg(-1)) and 9.5% (20 microg kg(-1)) in honey, 7.1% (1000 microg kg(-1)) and 7.6% (500 microg kg(-1)) in kidney and 7.1% (500 microg kg(-1)) and 11% (250 microg kg(-1)) in muscle.     

Determination of chloramphenicol in royal jelly by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A liquid chromatographic/tandem mass spectrometric method was developed and validated for the determination of chloramphenicol (CAP) in royal jelly. Royal jelly samples were first denatured with lead acetate solution, and the CAP was extracted with solid-phase extraction before separation by liquid chromatography. A triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer operated in the negative electrospray ionization and selected-reaction monitoring mode was used for the detection of CAP. For method validation, royal jelly samples were fortified at CAP levels between 0.1 and 10.0 microg/kg; at these levels, recovery values (internal standard-corrected) ranged from 93.3 to 105.0%, and the within-laboratory reproducibility (relative standard deviation) was < or = 9.1%. The decision limit was 0.07 microg/kg, and the detection capability was 0.1 microg/kg.     

Evaluation of different sample treatments for determining pesticide residues in fat vegetable matrices like avocado by low-pressure gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A multi-residue method has been developed for determining 65 pesticide residues in greasy vegetable matrices such as avocado. Conventional organic solvent extraction assisted by a high-speed homogenizer was compared to pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) as extraction techniques. Following this, the lipophilic extract was purified using gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Alternative clean-up methods were also evaluated, as solid-phase extraction cartridges individually used and downstream coupled, but less effective lipophilic separation was archived. The pesticide residue determination was carried out using low-pressure gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LP-GC-MS-MS), showing the applicability of this type of GC columns for the analysis of fat vegetable matrices. The proposed methodology was validated in avocado matrix. The recoveries were in the range 70-110%, with RSD values lower than 19%, at 12 and 50 microg/kg spiking levels. The limits of quantitation (LOQs) were in the range 0.04-8.33 microg/kg and the limits of detection (LODs) were between 0.01 and 2.50 microg/kg. All of them were lower than the maximum residue levels (MRLs) set by the European Union (EU) in avocado. The proposed method was evaluated analyzing pesticide residues in real avocado samples.     

Quantitation of nine quinolones in chicken tissues by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

A simple reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed and validated for simultaneous analysis of nine quinolones (ciprofloxacin, danofloxacin, difloxacin, enrofloxacin, flumequine, marbofloxacin, nalidixic acid, oxolinic acid, sarafloxacin) in chicken tissue. The analytes were extracted from homogenized muscle using an acetonitrile basic solution. After centrifugation and partial evaporation, direct injection was possible. Three different HPLC conditions were applied to quantify the residual quinolones. Separation was achieved on a PLRP-S column and detection was performed with a monochromator fluorescence detector. The recovery, the limit of detection, the limit of quantification, the accuracy and the precision of the method were evaluated from spiked tissue samples at concentration levels ranging from 15 microg kg(-1) to 300 microg kg(-1) according to the maximum residue limit of each quinolone. This method is also suitable for porcine, bovine, ovine and fish muscle tissue.