Combined solid‐phase microextraction and high‐performance liquid chromatography with ultroviolet detection for simultaneous analysis of clenbuterol,salbutamol and ractopamine in pig samples

A simple and sensitive method based on the combination of solid‐phase microextraction (SPME) and high‐performance liquid chromatography with ultroviolet detection was developed for the simultaneous determination of clenbuterol, salbutamol and ractopamine in pig samples. Parameters of the SPME procedure affecting extraction efficiency, such as the type of fiber, extraction time, extraction temperature, ion strength, pH of sample and stirring rate, were optimized. The developed method was validated according to the International Conference on Harmonization guidelines. The calibration curves were linear over a range of 0.5–50 µg/L for clenbuterol and ractopamine, and 0.2–20 µg/L for salbutamol. The limits of detection were 0.1 µg/L for clenbuterol, 0.05 µg/L for salbutamol and 0.1μg/L for ractopamine, respectively. The averages of intra‐ and inter‐day accuracy ranged from 79.8 to 92.4%. The intra‐day and inter‐day precision were below 9.6% for the three analytes. This method exhibited the advantages of simplicity, rapidity and low solvent consumption, and was suitable for the monitoring of β₂‐agonists residue in pig samples. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Optimization of microwave‐assisted extraction for six inorganic and organic arsenic species in chicken tissues using response surface methodology

Response surface methodology was applied to optimize the parameters for microwave‐assisted extraction of six major inorganic and organic arsenic species (As(III), As(V), dimethyl arsenic acid, monomethyl arsenic acid, p‐arsanilic acid, and roxarsone) from chicken tissues, followed by detection using a high‐performance liquid chromatography with inductively coupled mass spectrometry detection method, which allows the simultaneous analysis of both inorganic and organic arsenic species in the extract in a single run. Effects of extraction medium, solution pH, liquid‐to‐solid ratio, and the temperature and time of microwave‐assisted extraction on the extraction of the targeted arsenic species were studied. The optimum microwave‐assisted extraction conditions were: 100 mg of chicken tissue, extracted by 5 mL of 22% v/v methanol, 90 mmol/L (NH₄)₂HPO₄, and 0.07% v/v trifluoroacetic acid (with pH adjusted to 10.0 by ammonium hydroxide solution), ramping for 10 min to 71°C, and holding for 11 min. The method has good extraction performance for total arsenic in the spiked and nonspiked chicken tissues (104.0 ± 13.8% and 91.6 ± 7.8%, respectively), except for the ones with arsenic contents close to the quantitation limits. Limits of quantitation (S/N = 10) for As(III), As(V), dimethyl arsenic acid, monomethyl arsenic acid, p‐arsanilic acid, and roxarsone in chicken tissues using this method were 0.012, 0.058, 0.039, 0.061, 0.102, and 0.240 mg/kg (dry weight), respectively.     

Residue analysis of tebufenozide and indoxacarb in chicken muscle,milk, egg and aquatic animal products using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

We developed an analytical method using liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) to detect and quantify tebufenozide (TEB) and indoxacarb (IND) residues in animal and aquatic products (chicken muscle, milk, egg, eel, flatfish, and shrimp). The target compounds were extracted using 1% acetic acid (0.1% acetic acid for egg only) in acetonitrile and purified using n‐hexane. The analytes were separated on a Gemini‐NX C₁₈ column using (a) distilled water with 0.1% formic acid and 5 mm ammonium acetate and (b) methanol with 0.1% formic acid as the mobile phase. All six‐point matrix‐matched calibration curves showed good linearity with coefficients of determination (R²) ≥0.9864 over a concentration range of 5–50 μg/kg. Intra‐ and inter‐day accuracy was expressed as the recovery rate at three spiking levels and ranged between 73.22 and 114.93% in all matrices, with a relative standard deviation (RSD, corresponding to precision) ≤13.87%. The limits of quantification (LOQ) of all target analytes ranged from 2 to 20 μg/kg, which were substantially lower than the maximum residue limits (MRLs) specified by the regulatory agencies of different countries. All samples were collected from different markets in Seoul, Republic of Korea, and tested negative for tebufenozide and indoxacarb residues. These results show that the method developed is robust and may be a promising tool to detect trace levels of the target analytes in animal products.     

An analytical method for prohexadione in Chinese cabbage and apple

A residual determination method as a regulatory residue method was developed using HPLC‐UVD for prohexadione residues in Chinese cabbage (Brassica pekinensis) and apple (Malus domestica). The developed method consisted of solid–liquid extraction with acidic acetonitrile and ion‐suppression liquid–liquid partitioning, followed by anion exchange cartridge cleanup. The limits of detection and quantitation for the method were 0.005 and 0.02 mg/kg, respectively. The method gave good linearity in the range of 0.02–2.5 mg/kg. Accuracy and precision ranged from 84.1 to 94.1% and from 2.4 to 6.9%, respectively. Additionally, the confirmative conditions of LC‐MS/MS for prohexadione were set in negative electrospray ionization mode with transitions of m/z 211.4 → 167.5 and m/z 211.4 → 123.5 in the selected reaction monitoring mode. The applicability of the method was demonstrated by analyzing real samples collected from local markets in Seoul, Republic of Korea. This developed method fully deserves consideration in accordance with its sensitivity, accuracy and precision required for residue analysis of prohexadione in Chinese cabbages and apples. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Inert matrix and Na4EDTA improve the supercritical fluid extraction efficiency of fluoroquinolones for HPLC determination in pig tissues

A supercritical fluid extraction method combined with high-performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence detection was developed for the determination of enrofloxacin, danofloxacin, and ciprofloxacin in pig muscle, lung, and kidney samples. The optimal SFE conditions were 80 °C, 300 kg/cm², 30% methanol for 40 min as a dynamic extraction time, in addition to 0.2 g Na₄EDTA and 7.0 g sea sand in the extraction vessel. The use of Na₄EDTA and sea sand on SFE extraction resulted in improvement of the recoveries of ciprofloxacin, a polar and hydrophilic compound, as well as enrofloxacin and danofloxacin. Overall, the recoveries ranged from 86.7 to 113.1% using the Na₄EDTA/sea sand-assisted SFE extraction method. The Na₄EDTA/sea sand-assisted SFE-HPLC-FLD validated method was successfully carried out in pig tissues, and proved to be specific, sensitive, reliable, and accurate. The method was also applied satisfactorily for accurate quantitative residue analysis in incurred pig tissues.     

Graphene‐coated magnetic‐sheet solid‐phase extraction followed by high‐performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection for the determination of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2 in soy‐based samples

A new method named graphene‐coated magnetic‐sheet solid‐phase extraction based on a magnetic three‐dimensional graphene sorbent was developed for the extraction of aflatoxins prior to high‐performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. The use of a perforated magnetic‐sheet for fixing the magnetic nanoparticles is a new feature of the method. Hence, the adsorbent particles can be separated from sample solution without using an external magnetic field. This made the procedure very simple and easy to operate so that all steps of the extraction process (sample loading, washing, and desorption) were carried out continuously using two lab‐made syringe pumps. The factors affecting the performance of extraction procedure such as the extraction solvent, adsorbent dose, sample loading flow rate, ionic strength, pH, and desorption parameters were investigated and optimized. Under the optimal conditions, the obtained enrichment factors and limits of detection were in the range of 205–236 and 0.09–0.15 μg/kg, respectively. The relative standard deviations were <3.4 and 7.5% for the intraday (n = 6) and interday (n = 4) precisions, respectively. The developed method was successfully applied to determine aflatoxins B₁, B₂, G₁, and G₂ in different soy‐based food samples.     

Simultaneous determination of major type‐B trichothecenes and the de‐epoxy metabolite of deoxynivalenol in chicken tissues by HPLC–MS/MS

In this study, a specific and sensitive LC–MS/MS method for the simultaneous analysis of type‐B trichothecenes (deoxynivalenol, 3‐acetyldeoxynivalenol, and 15‐acetyldeoxynivalenol) and the de‐epoxy metabolite of deoxynivalenol (de‐epoxy‐deoxynivalenol) in chicken muscle, liver, kidney, and fat tissues was developed and validated. The method involved an extraction step using ethyl acetate, followed by the evaporation of the supernatant, which was further purified by an Oasis HLB SPE cartridge (Waters, Milford, MA, USA). Chromatographic separation was performed on a C₁₈ column by detection with MS in multiple‐reaction monitoring mode and using a gradient elution program with 0.1% formic acid in water and methanol. The correlation coefficients (r) for each calibration curve were >0.99 within the experimental concentration range. The extraction recoveries ranged from 73.7 to 106.4%, with intraday and interday RSD < 11.6% at three levels of concentrations of 2, 10, and 100 μg/kg. The decision limits and the detection capabilities of the analytes in the chicken tissues ranged from 0.16 to 0.92 and 0.68 to 2.07 μg/kg, respectively. The results demonstrated the applicability of this sensitive procedure to the determination of trichothecenes in chicken tissue samples.     

Synthesis and application of boronic acid‐functionalized magnetic adsorbent for sensitive analysis of salbutamol residues in pig tissues

Salbutamol (SAL) is the most widely used β₂‐agonist drug for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary patients, but it is also often abused as feed additive. In recent years, the abuse of SAL has led to a large number of food safety incidents. Therefore, the monitoring of SAL residues in animal products is very important. A highly selective boronate affinity magnetic adsorbent was synthesized and developed for detection of trace levels of SAL residues in pig tissue samples. The obtained Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@FPBA(4‐formylphenylboronic acid) magnetic adsorbent showed good adsorption ability to catechol and SAL, and then it was successfully applied as special magnetic solid‐phase phase extraction adsorbent coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for simultaneous isolation and determination of cis‐diol compounds. The binding capacity of catechol and SAL reached 96 and 50 µmol/g, respectively. The method was successfully established for the detection of trace levels of SAL in pig tissue samples. The linear range extended from 0.32 to 800 µg/kg (R² = 0.9994). The limit of detection of SAL was 0.19 µg/kg. The recoveries were satisfactory (89.5–108.0%) at three spiked levels with RSD between 2.1 and 11.3%. These results indicated that the method has potential for enrichment and detection of trace levels of SAL residual in animal food products. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and colloidal gold immunoassay for sulphamethazine residues in edible animal foods: investigation of the effects of the analytical conditions and the sample matrix on assay performance

To determine sulphamethazine (SMZ) residues in edible animal foods (pig muscle, chicken muscle, egg, fish, milk and liver), a competitive direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a colloidal gold immunoassay were established. The limits of detection of the ELISA and the colloidal gold immunoassay were 0.02 and 0.5 μg kg⁻¹, respectively. The specificity of the ELISA developed to the SMZ was high according to the results of cross-reactivity testing with 14 kinds of sulphonamides. To obtain a more sensitive immunoassay, buffer solution (30 mmol L⁻¹ phosphate-buffered saline with 0.05% Tween 20, pH 8.5) was optimized through the whole test procedure. A simple and efficient extraction method for the rapid detection of SMZ residues in foods was developed, with recoveries between 74 and 117.5%. Matrix effects can be avoided by 1:10 dilution of pig muscle, chicken muscle, egg, fish, milk and liver with optimal buffer. The detection limit of SMZ was 5 μg kg⁻¹ in liver and 2 μg kg⁻¹ in the other five samples. For the validation of the ELISA tests, sample extracts were analysed by ELISA and high-performance liquid chromatography. The results obtained by these two methods showed a good correlation (r ²) which was greater than 0.9. The colloidal gold immunoassay presented in this assay was successfully applied to determine SMZ in pig muscle, milk and fish below or equal to the maximum residue level (20 μg kg⁻¹).     

Determination of dimetridazole and metronidazole in poultry and porcine tissues by gas chromatography-electron capture negative ionization mass spectrometry

A sensitive and selective method using gas chromatography-electron capture negative ionization mass spectrometry (GC-ECNI-MS) for analysis of dimetridazole (DMZ) and metronidazole (MNZ) in poultry muscles, porcine kidney and liver, and chicken liver, was developed and validated for the purpose of food surveillance testing of the residues of these two nitroimidazoles in various types of animal tissues in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Before homogenization and extraction with toluene, [2H₃]dimetridazole-(DMZ-d³) and secnidazole (SNZ) were added to tissue samples as internal standards. The organic extracts were mixed with n-hexane and subject to solid-phase extraction cleanup by amine extraction columns. MNZ and SNZ were derivatized with BSA prior to GC-ECNI-MS determination. Good recovery and precision were obtained and the limit of detection was below parts per billion levels for poultry and porcine tissues. The method could also be applied for the detection of the hydroxylated metabolite of DMZ.     

Quantitative extraction of sulfonamides in meats by supercritical methanol‐modified carbon dioxide: A foray into real‐world sampling

Optimizing operational parameters and obtaining the highest possible recovery are two of the major objectives to be attained when any extraction process is performed on a real sample in which the true analyte concentration is unknown. Sulfadiazine (SDZ), sulfamerazine (SMR), and sulfamethazine (SMZ) were extracted from real samples of chicken liver, beef liver, and pig kidney, using methanol‐modified supercritical CO₂. The optimum extraction parameters were found to be 17.237 MPa and 160°C for two of the three analytes; SMZ, on the other hand, was completely extracted at 120°C. Under these conditions of high temperature, high amounts of modifier (3.0 mL of methanol in a 10‐mL extraction vessel) and low pressure, all three sulfonamides (SAs) were shown to be quantitatively extracted from spiked samples from domestic animals which had not been given sulfonamides. Under the same conditions, meat samples of commercial origin were analyzed. These results were compared with those obtained by conventional extraction methods. Almost all the meat samples contained sulfa drug residue levels far exceeding the current tolerance levels allowed for most sulfonamides. Eighteen of thirty samples contained at least one of the three sulfonamides, and seven of these samples contained from 1.1 to 4.2 mg kg^–1 of SMZ. The SAs were quantified by HPLC with UV absorbance and amperometric detection.     

Residue level and dissipation pattern of lepimectin in shallots using high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array detection

Lepimectin, as an emulsifiable concentrate, was sprayed on shallots at the recommended dose rate (10 mL/20 L) to determine its residue levels, dissipation pattern, pre‐harvest residue limits (PHRLs), and health risk. Samples were randomly collected over 10 days, extracted with acetonitrile, purified using an amino solid‐phase extraction (NH₂‐SPE) cartridge and analyzed using a high‐performance liquid chromatography–photodiode array detection method. Field‐incurred samples were confirmed using ultra‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The linearity was excellent, with a determination coefficient (R²) of ≥0.9991. The recoveries at two spiking levels (0.2 and 1.0 mg/kg) ranged from 84.49 to 87.64% with relative standard deviations of ≤7.04%. The developed method was applied to field samples grown in separate greenhouses, one located in Naju and one in Muan, in the Republic of Korea. The dissipation pattern was described by first‐order kinetics with half‐lives of 1.9 (Naju) and 1.7 days (Muan). The PHRL curves indicated that, if the lepimectin residues are <0.18 (Naju) and <0.13 mg/kg (Muan) 5 days before harvest, the residue levels will be lower than the maximum residue limit (0.05 mg/kg) upon harvesting. The risk assessment data indicated that lepimectin is safe for use in the cultivation of shallots, with no risk of detrimental effects to the consumer.     

Determination of cyflumetofen residue in water,soil, and fruits by modified quick,easy, cheap,effective, rugged,and safe method coupled to gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A new, highly sensitive, and selective method was developed for the determination of the cyflumetofen residue in water, soil, and fruits by using gas chromatography quadruple mass spectrometry. The target compound was extracted using acetonitrile and then cleaned up using dispersive solid‐phase extraction with primary and secondary amine and graphitized carbon black, and optionally by a freezing‐out cleanup step. The matrix‐matched standards gave satisfactory recoveries and relative standard deviation values in different matrices at three fortified levels (0.05, 0.5, and 1.0 mg kg^?1). The overall average recoveries for this method in water, soil, and all fruits matrix at three fortified levels ranged from 76.3 to 101.5% with relative standard deviations in the range of 1.2–11.8% (n = 5). The calculated limits of detection and quantification were typically below 0.005 and 0.015 μg kg^?1, which were much lower than the maximum residue levels established by Japanese Positive List. This study provides a theoretical basis for China to draw up maximum residue level and analytical method for cyflumetofen acaricide in different fruits.     

Chromatography column comparison and rapid pretreatment for the simultaneous analysis of amantadine,rimantadine, acyclovir,ribavirin, and moroxydine in chicken muscle by ultra high performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry

In this work, a chromatography column comparison and rapid pretreatment development were carried out. A multi‐class method was built based on the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe pretreatment method with hydrophilic interaction ultra high performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry for the high‐throughput analysis of five antivirals in chicken muscle. The HSS T3 column, BEH HILIC column and BEH Amide column were studied, and their chemical functionalities and chromatographic separation effectiveness were compared. The BEH Amide column was selected to perform the mass spectrometry analysis under the hydrophilic interaction chromatography mode. First, a different strategy without adding MgSO₄ and NaCl into the muscle samples was considered. Then, different concentrations of formic acid, acetic acid, and ammonia in acetonitrile were compared for better extraction efficiency. Nine sorbents (C₁₈, PSA, NH₂, Florisil, Alumina‐B, Alumina‐N, PestiCarb, NANO, and NANO‐NH₂) were studied. The optimized procedure consisted of the use of 10% acetic acid in acetonitrile for the extraction solvent and NANO‐NH₂ for clean‐up. NANO‐NH₂ had not been applied in other matrix and pollutants so far. The developed method provided favorable trueness, precision, and acceptable matrix effect. Meanwhile, the method was sensitive, the limits of detection of amantadine, rimantadine, acyclovir, ribavirin, and moroxydine achieved were 0.56, 0.50, 0.30, 2.22, and 0.51 μg/kg, respectively, and were successfully applied for the routine detection of antivirals in the chicken samples.     

Freeze–thaw approach: A practical sample preparation strategy for residue analysis of multi‐class veterinary drugs in chicken muscle

Seven drugs from different classes, namely, fluoroquinolones (enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, sarafloxacin), sulfonamides (sulfadimidine, sulfamonomethoxine), and macrolides (tilmicosin, tylosin), were used as test compounds in chickens by oral administration, a simple extraction step after cryogenic freezing might allow the effective extraction of multi‐class veterinary drug residues from minced chicken muscles by mix vortexing. On basis of the optimized freeze–thaw approach, a convenient, selective, and reproducible liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method was developed. At three spiking levels in blank chicken and medicated chicken muscles, average recoveries of the analytes were in the range of 71–106 and 63–119%, respectively. All the relative standard deviations were <20%. The limits of quantification of analytes were 0.2–5.0 ng/g. Regardless of the chicken levels, there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in the average contents of almost any of the analytes in medicated chickens between this method and specific methods in the literature for the determination of specific analytes. Finally, the developed method was successfully extended to the monitoring of residues of 55 common veterinary drugs in food animal muscles.     

Simple and rapid determination of zaltoprofen in human plasma by manual‐shaking‐assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction followed by liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection

A readily applicable method was developed to determine the concentration level of zaltoprofen, a non‐steroidal antiinflammatory drug from the propionic acid family, in human plasma. This method is based on manual‐shaking‐assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction coupled with liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. Factors affecting the extraction efficiency were screened and optimized by experimental design using fractional factorial and central composite designs, respectively. Optimal conditions were: 220 μL of C₂H₄Cl₂ (extraction solvent), 5 mL of 3.75% w/v NaCl aqueous solution at pH 2.0, and manual shaking for 13 s (65 times). The resulting extraction method yielded a reasonable enrichment factor of 18.0 (±0.6, n  = 3) and extraction recovery of 86.0% (±3.3%, n  = 3). The established method was validated for selectivity, linearity, precision, accuracy, matrix effect, recovery, dilution integrity, and stability, and it met the acceptable criteria for all of the tested parameters. Specifically, the method was linear in the range of 0.16–50.0 mg/L, precise (< 8.8% RSD), accurate (–7.5–5.6% deviation), and showed negligible matrix effects (96.1–106.4%) with high absolute recovery (94.5–97.7%). Compared with previous methods involving labor‐intensive liquid–liquid extraction or non‐specific protein precipitation, our method allows the simple, rapid, and efficient determination of zaltoprofen using the most affordable analytical instrument, liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection.     

Determination of antibacterial agent tilmicosin in pig plasma by LC/MS/MS and its application to pharmacokinetics

A rapid and sensitive high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method was developed and validated to quantify tilmicosin in pig plasma. Plasma samples were prepared by liquid–liquid extraction. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a C₁₈ column (2.1 × 30 mm, 3.5 μm) using acetonitrile–water (90:10, v /v; water included 0.1% formic acid) as the mobile phase. Mass detection was carried out using positive electrospray ionization in multiple reaction monitoring mode. The calibration curve was linear from 0.5 to 2000 ng/mL (r ² = 0.9998). The intra‐ and inter‐day accuracy and precision were within the acceptable limits of ±10% for all tilmicosin concentrations. The recoveries ranged from 95 to 99% for the three tested concentrations. The LC–MS/MS method described herein was simple, fast and less laborious than other methods, achieved high sensitivity using a small sample volume, and was successfully applied to pharmacokinetic studies of tilmicosin enteric granules after oral delivery to pigs. In comparison with tilmicosin premix, tilmicosin enteric granules slowed the elimination rate of tilmicosin, prolonged its period of action and significantly improved its bioavailability.     

Imprinted silica nanoparticles coated with N‐propylsilylmorpholine‐4‐carboxamide for the determination of m‐cresol in synthetic and real samples

m‐Cresol‐imprinted silica nanoparticles coated with N‐propylsilylmorpholine‐4‐carboxamide have been developed that contain specific pockets for the selective uptake of m‐cresol. Silica nanoparticles were synthesized by a sol–gel process followed by functionalization of their surface with N‐propylsilylmorpholine‐4‐carboxamide. The formation of m‐cresol‐imprinted silica nanoparticles was confirmed by UV‐Vis spectrophotometry, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Electron microscopic studies revealed the formation of monodispersed imprinted silica nanoparticles with spherical shape and an average size of 83 nm. The developed nanoparticles were filled in a syringe and used for the extraction of m‐cresol from aqueous samples followed by quantification using high‐performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection. Various adsorption experiments showed that developed m‐cresol‐imprinted silica nanoparticles exhibited a high adsorption capacity and selectivity and offered a fast kinetics for rebinding m‐cresol. The chromatographic quantification was achieved using mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile/water (70:30 v/v) at an isocratic flow rate of 1.0 mL/min using a reversed‐phase C₁₈ column and detection at λ_max = 275 nm. The limits of detection and quantification were 1.86 and 22.32 ng/mL, respectively, for the developed method. The percent recoveries ranged from 96.66–103.33% in the spiked samples. This combination of this nanotechnique with molecular imprinting was proved as a reliable, sensitive and selective method for determining the target from synthetic and real samples.     

Determination of Carbadox and Olaquindox Residues in Chicken Muscles, Chicken Liver, Bovine Meat, Liver and Milk by MLC with UV Detection: Application to Baby Formulae

A simple and sensitive method was optimized and validated for the analysis of carbadox and olaquindox residues in chicken muscles, chicken liver, bovine meat, liver and milk. Analytical separation was performed in less than 4 min using a C₁₈ column with UV detection at 373 nm and a micellar solution of 0.1 M sodium dodecyl sulphate, 10 % acetonitrile and 0.3 % triethylamine in 0.02 M phosphoric acid buffered at pH 4 as the mobile phase. The method was fully validated in accordance with ICH guidelines. The micellar method was successfully applied to quantitatively determine carbadox and olaquindox residues in spiked chicken muscles, chicken liver, bovine meat, liver and milk. It was also extended to the determination of carbadox and olaquindox residues in baby formulae. The recoveries obtained were in the 89.2–93.6 and 93.0–107.2 % ranges for carbadox and olaquindox, respectively. High extraction efficiency for carbadox and olaquindox was obtained without matrix interference in the extraction process and in the subsequent chromatographic determination. No organic solvent was used during the pretreatment step.     

An LC–MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of 1,5‐dicaffeoylquinic acid and 1‐O‐acetylbritannilactone in rat plasma and its application to a pharmacokinetic study

A selective and sensitive liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method was developed for the simultaneous quantitative determination of 1,5‐dicaffeoylquinic acid (1,5‐DCQA) and 1‐O‐ acetylbritannilactone (1‐O‐ ABL) in rat plasma. Chromatographic separation was performed on a Zorbax Eclipse XDB‐C₁₈ column using isocratic mobile phase consisting of methanol–water–formic acid (70:30:0.1, v /v/v) at a flow rate of 0.25 mL/min. The detection was achieved using a triple‐quadrupole tandem MS in selected reaction monitoring mode. The calibration curves of all analytes in plasma showed good linearity over the concentration ranges of 0.850–213 ng/mL for 1,5‐DCQA, and 0.520–130 ng/mL for 1‐O‐ ABL, respectively. The extraction recoveries were ≥78.5%, and the matrix effect ranged from 91.4 to 102.7% in all the plasma samples. The method was successfully applied for the pharmacokinetic study of the two active components in the collected plasma following oral administration of Inula britannica extract in rats.