On-line coupling of solid-phase extraction to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of macrolide antibiotics in environmental water

An automated on-line solid-phase extraction-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (SPE-LC-MS/MS) system was developed for the determination of macrolide antibiotics including erythromycin (ETM), roxithromycin (RTM), tylosin (TLS) and tilmicosin (TMC) in environmental water samples. A Capcell Pak MF Ph-1 column packed with restricted access material (RAM) was used as SPE column for the concentration of the analytes and clean-up of the sample. One milliliter water sample was injected into the conditioned SPE column and the matrix was washed out with 3 mL high purity water. By rotation of the switching valve, macrolides (MLs) were eluted in the back-flush mode and transferred to the analytical column by the chromatographic mobile phase. The matrix effect was evaluated by the directly injection LC-MS and on-line SPE-LC-MS methods. The limits of detection (LODs) and limits of quantification (LOQs) obtained are in the range of 2-6 and 7-20 ng L⁻¹, respectively, which means that the proposed method is suitable for trace analysis of MLs at low level concentration. The intra- and inter-day precisions are in the range of 2.9-7.2% and 3.3-8.9%, respectively. In the three fortified levels (20, 200 and 2000 ng L⁻¹), recoveries of MLs ranging from 86.5% to 98.3% are obtained.     

分子印迹固相萃取-超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法测定鸡肉中9种氟喹诺酮药物残留

建立了分子印迹固相萃取（MISPE）-超高效液相色谱-串联质谱（UPLC-MS/MS）同时测定鸡肉中9种氟喹诺酮药物残留的分析方法。样品经均质处理后,采用磷酸盐缓冲液提取,提取液经MISPE柱净化后,采用BEH C₁₈柱分离,以乙腈-0.1%（v/v）甲酸水溶液为流动相,梯度洗脱,采用电喷雾正离子多反应监测模式,外标法定量。考察了MISPE柱对9种氟喹诺酮药物的吸附特异性;9种药物在0.25~100 μg/L范围内线性关系良好,相关系数（r）>0.9965;检出限和定量限分别为0.08 μg/kg和0.25 μg/kg;在0.25、2.5、5.0 μg/kg添加水平下,9种药物的回收率为65.8%~112.2%,批内、批间RSD分别为0.6%~13.5%和0.5%~14.9%;MISPE的最大柱容量为464.7~932.4 μg/L。该方法灵敏度好、操作简单、快速。     

Determination of sulfonamide antibiotics in fish and shrimp samples based on magnetic carbon nanotube dummy molecularly imprinted polymer extraction followed by UPLC-MS/MS

In this study, a novel purification method using magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) based on magnetic carbon nanotube dummy molecularly imprinted polymer (MCNTMIP) nanocomposite was investigated for separation and enrichment of sulfonamide antibiotics (SAs) in fish and shrimp samples. The MCNTMIP nanocomposite was successfully synthesized by applying carbon nanotubes as supporting template, methacrylic acid as functional monomer, sulfabenzamide as the dummy template for SAs, and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as crosslinking agent, then was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry and vibrating sample magnetometry. The adsorption performance of MCNTMIP was evaluated by binding experiments, including static adsorption, kinetic adsorption, and selectivity recognition study. The results confirmed that an imprinted polymer layer was successfully constructed on the surface of the MCNTMIP and this sorbent has advantages of simple magnetic separation, specific molecular recognition, and high adsorption capacity. Combined with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS), we developed a rapid, sensitive, efficient MSPE method for detecting SAs analytes. Under the optimal conditions, the limits of detection were low to 0.1 μg/kg, and the recoveries of SAs analytes were ranged between 90.2 and 99.9%. In addition, the precision values were ranged between 0.5 and 9.1%. This method was successfully applied to analyze SAs in fish and shrimp samples with satisfactory recoveries.     

Preparation of magnetic surface molecularly imprinted polymers for the selective extraction of triazines in environmental water samples

ABSTRACT

In this work, a magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer (Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@MIPs) was prepared via a surface-imprinted method for the determination of the triazines in environmental water samples combined with high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and vibrating sample magnetometer showed that the Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@MIPs was successfully synthesised and exhibited superparamagnetism. The isotherm adsorption, selectivity and adsorption kinetics experiments showed that the Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@MIPs exhibited excellent specific recognition and fast adsorption equilibrium for triazines. The adsorption process is spontaneous and endothermic. The isotherm adsorption was consistent with Scatchard model and adsorption kinetic fit pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Under the optimised adsorption conditions, the Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@MIPs was directly used to selectively enrich six triazines in environmental water samples. The enrichment volume was up to 500 mL, and the matrix effects were down to 0.7–12.4%. The built method has excellent linearities in the range of 0.25–500 ng L^?1 with R² in the range of 0.998–0.999, lower limit of detections (0.02–0.08 ng L^?1) and higher precision (2.4–7.2%). The Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@MIPs is expected to be widely applied to the direct enrichment of triazines in bulk environmental water samples.     

Preparation of magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer for the separation of tetracycline antibiotics from egg and tissue samples

Magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers were prepared using hydrophobic Fe₃O₄ magnetite as the magnetically susceptible component, oxytetracycline as template molecule, methacrylic acid as functional monomer, and styrene and divinylbenzene as polymeric matrix components. The polymers were applied to the separation of tetracycline antibiotics from egg and tissue samples. The extraction and clean-up procedures were carried out in a single step by blending and stirring the sample, extraction solvent and polymers. The analytes can be transferred from the sample matrix to the polymers directly or through the extraction solvent as medium. When the extraction was complete, the polymers adsorbing the analytes were easily separated from the sample matrix by an adscititious magnet. The analytes eluted from the polymers were determined by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The recoveries ranging from 72.8% to 96.5% were obtained with relative standard deviations in the range of 2.9–12.3%. The limit of detection was less than 0.2 ng g⁻¹. The feasibility of this method was validated by analysis of incurred egg and tissue samples, and the results were compared with those obtained by the classical method in which solvent extraction, centrifugation, and subsequent clean-up and concentration by solid-phase extraction were applied. The proposed method reduced the complicacy of classical method and improved the reliability of method.     

Determination of fluoroquinolones in environmental waters by in-tube solid-phase microextraction coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

We developed a sensitive and useful method for the determination of five fluoroquinolones (FQs), enoxacin, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, and lomefloxacin in environmental waters, using a fully automated method consisting of in-tube solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). These compounds were analysed within 7 min by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using a CAPCELL PAK C8 column and aqueous ammonium formate (pH 3.0, 5 mM)/acetonitrile (85/15, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min. Electrospray ionization conditions in the positive ion mode were optimized for MS/MS detection. In order to optimize the extraction of FQs, several in-tube SPME parameters were examined. The optimum in-tube SPME conditions were 20 draw/eject cycles of 40 μL of sample at a flow-rate of 150 μL/min, using a Carboxen 1010 PLOT capillary column as an extraction device. The extracted compounds were easily desorbed from the capillary by passage of the mobile phase. Using the in-tube SPME LC/MS/MS method, good linearity of the calibration curve (r ≥ 0.997) was obtained in the concentration range from 0.1 to 10 ng/mL for all compounds examined. The limits of detection (S/N = 3) of the five FQs ranged from 7 to 29 pg/mL. The in-tube SPME method showed 60-94-fold higher sensitivity than the direct injection method (5 μL injection). This method was applied successfully to the analysis of environmental water samples without any other pretreatment and interference peaks. Several surface waters and wastewaters were collected from the area around Asahi River, and ofloxacin was detected in wastewater samples of a sewage treatment plant and other two hospitals at 17.5-186.2 pg/mL. The recoveries of FQs spiked into river water were above 81% for a 0.1 or 0.2 ng/mL spiking concentration, and the relative standard deviations were below 1.9-8.6%.     

Solid-phase extraction followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of hydroxylated benzophenone UV absorbers in environmental water samples

A procedure for the determination of six derivatives of 2-hydroxybenzophenone, used as UV absorbers, in water samples is presented. Compounds were first concentrated using a solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridge and then selectively determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) using electrospray ionization (ESI). The effect of different parameters on the performance of concentration and determination steps is discussed. The highly polar and acidic 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone-5-sulfonic acid (BP-4) required the use of ammonium acetate as modifier during desorption of SPE cartridges and also to improve the performance of its separation in the LC column. Under optimized conditions, the proposed method provided limits of quantification from less than 1 to 32 ng L⁻¹, depending on the compound and the type of water sample. Recoveries from the SPE step (83-105%) remained unaffected by the nature of the matrix; however, the efficiency of electrospray ionization was compound and sample dependant. Real sample analysis reflected the presence of three of the six investigated species (BP-4, 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone, BP-3, and 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone, BP-1) in the aquatic environment, particularly in raw wastewater samples. In this latter matrix, BP-4 was the compound presenting the highest concentrations; moreover, it was poorly removed in sewage treatment plants and consequently it also appeared in river water.     

Preparation of magnetic strong cation exchange resin for the extraction of melamine from egg samples followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

In the work, magnetic strong cation exchange (MSCX) resins were prepared using hydrophobic Fe₃O₄ magnetite as the magnetically susceptible component, styrene and divinylbenzene as polymeric matrix components, acetyl sulfonate as the sulfonation agent. The resins were successfully applied to the extraction of melamine (MEL) from egg samples. The extraction procedure was carried out in a single step by blending and stirring the sample, extraction solvent and the magnetic resins. The MEL was extracted from the sample matrix then adsorbed onto the resins directly through ion-exchange interaction. When the extraction was completed, the resins with adsorbed analyte were easily separated from the sample matrix by applying an appropriate magnetic field. Main factors affecting the extraction of MEL such as the amount of MSCX resins, extraction time, washing and eluting conditions were optimized. The MEL eluted from the resins was determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The linearity of quantification obtained by analyzing matrix-matched standards is in the range of 10-1000 ng g⁻¹. The limit of detection and quantification obtained are 2.6 and 8.8 ng g⁻¹, respectively. The relative standard deviations of intra- and inter-day ranging from 1.6% to 6.5% and from 2.1% to 7.2% are obtained. The recoveries of MEL are in the range of 77.2-99.3%. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine MEL in eggs obtained from different local markets. MEL was detectable with the contents of 43.5 and 234.1 ng g⁻¹ in two samples.     

分子印迹聚合物为涂层的吸附萃取搅拌棒在环境水样双酚A含量测定中的应用

以双酚A(BPA)为单体,利用整体材料“原位”聚合技术制备以分子印迹聚合物为涂层的吸附萃取搅拌棒(MIP-SBSE),然后与高效液相色谱(HPLC)-二极管阵列检测器联用,探讨其对环境水样BPA的选择萃取性能。优化萃取过程中吸附和解吸时间、解吸液种类以及基底pH值和离子强度对目标化合物的选择吸附性能。在最佳条件下,MIP-SBSE可对模板分子进行有效的选择吸附,线性范围为1.0～200 μg/L,检出限(S/N=3)和定量限(S/N=10)分别为0.28μg/L和0.94 μg/L。在实际水样分析中,具有良好的加标回收率,其值为96.0%～108.7%。研究结果表明,所建立的方法具有简便、灵敏和环境友好等特点。     

分子印迹膜萃取结合高效液相色谱-串联质谱法快速检测牛奶中的痕量环丙沙星残留

以聚偏氟乙烯膜为载体,恩诺沙星为伪模板分子,甲基丙烯酸为功能单体,乙二醇二甲基丙烯酸酯为交联剂,在氯仿-甲醇混合体系中制备恩诺沙星分子印迹膜(MIM),并将其作为分子印迹膜萃取(MIME)材料萃取牛奶样品中的环丙沙星,结合高效液相色谱-串联质谱(HPLC-MS/MS),快速检测牛奶中痕量环丙沙星残留。环丙沙星在0.1～200μg/L范围内线性关系良好,相关系数为0.999 6,检出限(S/N=3)和定量限(S/N=10)分别为0.02和0.10μg/L。日间和日内精密度的相对标准偏差(RSD)在3.3%～7.9%之间。将开发的MIME-HPLC-MS/MS方法用于实际牛奶样品中环丙沙星加标回收率的检测,回收率在92.6%～119.1%之间。结果表明该方法前处理简单快速灵敏,检测准确度高,可用于牛奶样品中痕量环丙沙星残留的快速检测。     

Selective extraction of apixaban from plasma by dispersive solid-phase microextraction using magnetic metal organic framework combined with molecularly imprinted polymer nanocomposite

This research aims to synthesize a specific and efficient sorbent to use in the extraction of apixaban from human plasma samples and its determination by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. High specific surface area of metal-organic framework, magnetic property of iron oxide nanoparticles, selectively of molecular imprinted polymer toward the analyte, and the combination of dispersive solid-phase extraction method with a sensitive analysis system provided an efficient analytical method. In this study, first, a molecularly imprinted polymer combined with magnetic metal organic framework nanocomposite was prepared and then characterized using different techniques. Then the sorbent particles were used for selective extraction of the analyte from plasma samples. The efficiency of the method was improved by optimizing effective parameters. According to the validation results, wide linear range (1.02–200 ng mL⁻¹), acceptable coefficient of determination (0.9938), low limit of detection (0.32 ng mL⁻¹) and limit of quantification (1.02 ng mL⁻¹), high extraction recovery (78%), and good precision (relative standard deviations ≤ 2.9% for intra- (n = 6) and interday (n = 6) precisions) were obtainable using the proposed method. These outcomes showed the high potential of the proposed method for screening apixaban in the human plasma samples.     

固相萃取-高效液相色谱-串联质谱法同时测定环境水样中22种抗生素

抗生素作为环境介质中一种典型的新污染物,在各类环境水样中检出频率高且浓度低。为快速、灵敏、准确地分析各类水体中的抗生素,建立了固相萃取-高效液相色谱-串联质谱法(SPE-HPLC-MS/MS)同时测定环境水样中4种青霉素类、12种喹诺酮类和6种大环内酯类共22种抗生素的分析方法。针对抗生素特性和样品基质特点优化前处理方法,重点优化固相萃取柱、水样pH值、水样中乙二胺四乙酸二钠(Na₂EDTA)加入量。在200 mL水样中加入0.5 g Na₂EDTA,并调节水样的pH值至3,经HLB固相萃取柱富集净化,以乙腈-0.15%(v/v)甲酸水溶液为流动相进行梯度洗脱,采用电喷雾电离源,在正离子模式下使用多反应监测模式进行定性定量分析。结果显示,22种抗生素的相关系数(r)≥0.995,呈现良好的线性关系,方法检出限和定量限分别为2.3~10.7 ng/L和9.2~42.8 ng/L,地表水中3个水平下的加标回收率为61.2%~157%,相对标准偏差(RSD)为1.0%~21.9%,废水中3个水平下的加标回收率为50.1%~129%, RSD为1.2%~16.9%。该方法成功用于水库、地表水、污水处理厂出口、畜禽养殖场等不同类型水样中抗生素的同时测定,其中地表水和畜禽养殖废水中大部分抗生素有检出,在地表水中林可霉素检出率为90%,在畜禽养殖废水中氧氟沙星的检出含量最高,为127 ng/L。该方法检出限和回收率满足定量分析要求,且具有富集水样体积少、分析时间短、适用范围广等优势,特别适用于突发环境污染应急监测,同时为摸清新污染物环境赋存底数和新污染物治理与管控提供有力支撑。     

Evaluation of two molecularly imprinted polymers for the solid‐phase extraction of natural,synthetic and mycoestrogens from environmental water samples before liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry

In this work, we have compared the selectivity of two commercial molecularly imprinted polymers (AFFINIMIP®SPE Estrogens and AFFINIMIP®SPE Zearalenone) for the extraction of 12 estrogenic compounds of interest (i.e. 17α‐estradiol, 17β‐estradiol, estrone, hexestrol, 17α‐ethynylestradiol, diethylstibestrol, dienestrol, zearalenone, α‐zearalanol, β‐zearalanol, α‐zearalenol and β‐zearalenol) from different water samples. High‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with ion trap mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization was used for their determination. Results showed that although both molecularly imprinted polymeric cartridges were specifically designed for different groups of analytes (natural estrogens like estradiol in the first case and zearalenone derivatives in the second) they nearly have the same extraction performance (with recovery values in the range 65–101%) for the same analytes in Milli‐Q water because of the cross‐reactivity of the polymer. However, when more complex water samples were analyzed, it was clear that the behavior was different and that the AFFINIMIP®SPE Estrogens showed less cross‐reactivity than the other cartridge. Validation of the proposed methodology with both cartridges revealed that the extraction was reproducible and that the final limits of detection of the proposed method were in the low ng/L range.     

磁性固相萃取-高效液相色谱-串联质谱法测定环境水样中的四环素类抗生素

建立了磁性固相萃取-高效液相色谱-串联质谱同时测定环境水样中四环素类抗生素的方法。以6种四环素类抗生素(差向四环素、土霉素、四环素、去甲金霉素、金霉素和脱水四环素)为目标化合物,考察并优化了吸附和解吸条件,确定了最佳萃取条件。萃取后的目标化合物经ZORBAX Eclipse Plus C₁₈柱分离,用高效液相色谱-串联质谱在多反应监测(MRM)模式下进行检测。在优化的条件下,6种四环素在1~100 μg/L范围内线性关系良好,线性相关系数为0.9967~0.9993,检出限为2.44~25.21 ng/L,样品加标回收率为80.6%~90.0%,日内相对标准偏差(RSDs)为0.6%~2.5%,日间RSDs为1.1%~7.1%。该方法灵敏度高、背景干扰低,适用于环境水样中6种痕量四环素类抗生素的同时检测。     

液相色谱-串联质谱法测定水环境中的十氯酮

建立了分析测定水环境中十氯酮的液相色谱-串联质谱法。水样经液液萃取、净化后,采用Eclipse plus C18柱（100 mm×2.1 mm,3.5 μm）分离,乙腈和水为流动相进行梯度洗脱,在电喷雾负离子多反应监测模式下进行检测,同位素内标法定量。结果表明：采用液相色谱-质谱联用技术,证实了十氯酮在甲醇中以半缩醛的形式存在,而在丙酮/乙腈中以偕二醇的形式存在。由于十氯酮极性较强,在净化时难以洗脱,并且不耐酸,所以不能与其他有机氯农药一起分析。十氯酮在5~100 μg/L范围有良好的线性关系,相关系数r²=0.999,检出限及定量限分别为0.70 ng/L和2.8 ng/L;在5、40和100 ng/L 3个浓度添加水平的平均回收率为95.1%~98.9%,相对标准偏差为3.85%~4.72%。本方法具有良好的灵敏度、回收率和重现性,适用于水环境中十氯酮的测定。     

Determination of malachite green residues in fish using molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction followed by liquid chromatography-linear ion trap mass spectrometry

This paper describes the development of an analytical procedure to determine malachite green (MG) residues in salmon samples using molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) as the extraction and clean-up material, followed by liquid chromatography-linear ion trap mass spectrometry (LC-QqQLIT-MS/MS). MG and two structurally related compounds, crystal violet (CV) and brilliant green (BG) were employed for the selectivity test. The imprinted polymers exhibited high binding affinity for MG, while CV and BG showed less binding capacity: 47% and 34%, respectively. The recovery values of MG in salmon samples fortified with leucomalachite green (LMG) were determined by measuring the amount of MG in the sample, after carrying out the oxidation reaction with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ), which converts the LMG back into chromic-form. The average recovery of MG in spiked salmon muscle over the concentration range 1-100 ng g⁻¹ was 98% with a relative standard deviation value (R.S.D.) below 12%. The method detection limits (MDLs) obtained for MG, CV, BG and their leuco-metabolites were in the range of 3-20 ng kg⁻¹ (ppt).     

Preparation of magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer based on multiwalled carbon nanotubes for selective dispersive micro-solid phase extraction of fenitrothion followed by ion mobility spectrometry analysis

A novel molecularly imprinted polymer based on magnetic multiwalled carbon nanotubes was fabricated and applied for selective dispersive micro-solid phase extraction of fenitrothion prior its determination by ion mobility spectrometry. The composite was synthesized using magnetic multiwalled carbon nanotubes as the support. Methacrylic acid was used as the functional monomer, fenitrothion as the template, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as the cross-linker, and 2,2-azoisobutyronitrile as the initiator. The resultant polymer was characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, Brunauer–Emmet–Teller analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and vibrating sample magnetometer techniques. Experimental factors affecting the extraction efficiency such as pH and amount of sorbent were evaluated. Under optimum experimental conditions, the developed method displayed the linear range of 5–220 μg/L with a detection limit of 1.3 μg/L. The intra- and interday relative standard deviations for determination of fenitrothion were 3.6 and 4.7% (n = 6), respectively. Ultimately, the proposed method was used to monitor trace amounts of fenitrothion in fruits, vegetables, and water samples.     

Determination of benzophenones in human placental tissue samples by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Benzophenones (BPs) are a family of compounds widely used to protect the skin and hair from UV irradiation. Despite human exposure to BPs through dermal application of products containing sunscreen agents and the increasing evidence that BPs are able to interfere with endocrine systems, few studies have examined the occurrence of BPs in humans. In this work, we propose a new liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method to determine six BPs, namely, benzophenone-1 (BP-1), benzophenone-2 (BP-2), benzophenone-3 (BP-3), benzophenone-6 (BP-6), benzophenone-8 (BP-8) and 4-hydroxybenzophenone (4-OH-BP) in human placental tissue samples. The method involves an extraction step of the analytes from the samples using ethyl acetate, followed by a clean-up step using centrifugation prior to their quantification by LC-MS/MS using an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) interface in the positive mode. Benzophenone-d₁₀ (BP-d₁₀) was used as surrogate. Found detection limits (LOD) ranged from 0.07 to 0.3 ng g⁻¹ and quantification limits (LOQ) from 0.3 to 1.0 ng g⁻¹, while inter- and intra-day variability was under 5%. The method was validated using standard addition calibration and a recovery assay. Recovery rates for spiked samples ranged from 98 to 104%. This method was satisfactorily applied for the determination of BPs in 16 placental tissue samples collected from women who live in Granada (Spain).     

新型磁性分子印迹聚合物的制备及其在氟喹诺酮类抗生素检测中的应用

建立了磁性分子印迹聚合物固相萃取与高效液相色谱联用同时检测环境水中4种氟喹诺酮类抗生素的研究方法。分别利用扫描电子显微镜、透射电子显微镜、X-射线衍射、傅里叶红外光谱、振动样品磁强计对合成的磁性分子印迹聚合物进行表征,对影响吸附实验的参数（包括吸附剂用量、吸附和解析时间、洗脱液种类、样品pH值）进行了考察和优化。在最佳的实验条件下,4种氟喹诺酮类抗生素的方法检出限为4.1~21.3 μg/L,方法定量限为13.7~71.0 μg/L,样品加标回收率为70.6%~103.6%。该方法快速、灵敏,能够满足环境水样中氟喹诺酮类抗生素的残留检测要求。     

Water-compatible molecularly imprinted polymer for the selective recognition of fluoroquinolone antibiotics in biological samples

A novel water-compatible molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP), prepared with enrofloxacin (ENR) as the template, has been optimised for the selective extraction of fluoroquinolone antibiotics in aqueous media. The results of a morphological characterisation and selectivity tests of the polymer material for ENR and related derivatives are reported. High affinity for the piperazine-based fluoroquinolones marbofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin and ofloxacin was observed, whereas no retention was found for nonrelated antibiotics. Various parameters affecting the extraction efficiency of the polymer have been optimised to achieve selective extraction of the antibiotics from real samples and to reduce nonspecific interactions. These findings resulted in a MISPE/HPLC-FLD method allowing direct extraction of the analytes from aqueous samples with a selective wash using just 50% (v/v) organic solvent. The method showed excellent recoveries and precision when buffered urine samples fortified at five concentration levels (25–250 ng mL⁻¹ each) of marbofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, enrofloxacin and sarafloxacin were tested (53–88%, RSD 1–10%, n = 3). Moreover, the biological matrix of the aqueous samples did not influence the preconcentration efficiency of the fluoroquinolones on the MIP cartridges; no significant differences were observed between the recovery rates of the antibiotics in buffer and urine samples. The detection limits of the whole process range between 1.9 and 34 ng mL^–1 when 5-mL urine samples are processed. The developed method has been successfully applied to preconcentration of norfloxacin in urine samples of a medicated patient, demonstrating the ability of the novel MIP for selective extraction of fluoroquinolones in urine samples.