A quantitative method for the detection of sulfonamide residues in meat and milk samples with a high-performance thin-layer chromatographic method.

Sulfonamides are widely used in veterinary medicine for prophylactic purposes and for the treatment of various infections of food-producing animals. This means that residues of these drugs and their possible metabolites may occur in food of animal origin. In Belgium, a zero tolerance level for sulfonamides in edible animal tissues has been set. In order to check this zero level on a routine basis, a rapid and sensitive method has to be available. For this purpose, a quantitative high-performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method for the detection of sulfonamide residues in animal tissue and milk samples has been developed. The sample preparation consists of a liquid extraction followed by a solid phase extraction (SPE) on disposable columns for the meat samples and a matrix solid phase dispersion (MSPD) for the milk samples. A three-multiple development chromatographic system is used for the separation and a derivatization with fluorescamine decreases the minimal detectable quantity per spot from 1.42 to 0.32 ng. The limit of quantification is 4 micrograms/kg for milk and meat samples.     

Automated high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of chloramphenicol in milk and swine muscle tissue using on-line immunoaffinity sample clean-up.

An on-line high-performance liquid immunoaffinity chromatographic (HPLIAC) system for the direct determination of chloramphenicol in milk and swine muscle tissue is described. The system consisted of a dual-column system in which an HPLIAC column was directly coupled to an RP-8 high-performance liquid chromatographic column. Skimmed and deproteinated milk or aqueous muscle tissue extract was directly injected into the HPLIAC column. After a washing step with phosphate-buffered saline, chloramphenicol was desorbed by a glycine-NaCl buffer (pH 2.8) and directly concentrated on the RP-8 column. Next, chromatography was carried out using acetonitrile-sodium acetate buffer as the mobile phase. Chloramphenicol was detected at 280 nm. Mean recoveries from spiked raw milk were 70 +/- 2% (1-50 micrograms/kg) and from spiked swine muscle tissue 64 +/- 2% (10-50 micrograms/kg). The calibration curves were linear in the range 1-200 micrograms/kg spiking levels. Limits of determination were 1 microgram/kg for milk and 10 micrograms/kg for muscle tissue.     

Rapid sample preparation method for the determination of chloramphenicol in swine muscle by high-performance liquid chromatography

A simple and rapid sample preparation method for the determination of chloramphenicol in swine muscle tissue at the 10 micrograms/kg level is described. The method comprises sonication-aided extraction with ethyl acetate, addition of hexane to the extract and cleaning up and concentration of the extract on a small column packed with silica gel. Analysis was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography on a ChromSep column with ChromSpher C8 using acetonitrile-sodium acetate buffer as the mobile phase. Detection was performed at 280 nm. Mean recoveries from spiked muscle samples were 79 +/- 3% (10-50 micrograms/kg). The distribution of chloramphenicol in different muscle and fatty tissues from a pig to which a single dose of chloramphenicol was administered was also investigated.     

A quantitative method for residues of macrolide antibiotics in porcine kidney by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

An LC/MS/MS-based multiresidue quantitative method was developed for the macrolides erythromycin A, neospiramycin I, oleandomycin, spiramycin I, tilmicosin, and tylosin A in porcine kidney tissues. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) had as part of its analytical scope an LC/UV method for quantification of residues of two macrolide antibiotics, tilmicosin and tylosin A, in the kidney, liver, and muscle of cattle, swine, and poultry. The method could not reliably detect concentrations below 10 microg/kg. To increase the scope of the CFIA's analytical capabilities, a sensitive multiresidue quantitative method for macrolide residues in food animal tissues was required. Porcine kidney samples were extracted with acetonitrile and alkaline buffer and cleaned-up using silica-based C18 SPE cartridges. Sample extracts were analyzed using LC/MS/MS with positive electrospray ionization. Fitness for purpose was verified in a single-laboratory validation study using a second analyst. The working analytical range was 5 to 50 microg/kg. LOD and LOQ were 0.5 to 0.6 microg/kg and 1.5 to 3.0 microg/kg, respectively. Limits of identification were 0.5 to 2.0 microg/kg. Relative intermediate precisions were 8 to 17%. Average absolute recoveries were 68 to 76%.     

Determination of β-Blockers in Bovine and Porcine Tissues and Bovine Milk by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography – Tandem Mass Spectrometry

The illicit use of β-blockers in food-producing animals may induce the presence of these compounds in meat and milk. The presence of β-blockers in these foods is a safety issue. A simple and economic high-performance liquid chromatography – tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for β-blockers in bovine and porcine muscle, kidney, liver, and bovine milk. The focus of the study was on the detection and quantitation of acebutolol, atenolol, betaxolol, carazolol, metoprolol, nadolol, penbutolol, and propranolol. Homogenized tissues were digested with glucuronidase/aryl sulfatase to release the analytes that were extracted with acetonitrile and purified using matrix solid-phase dispersion. For residues in milk, acidolysis and extraction utilized trichloroacetic acid and acetonitrile and the samples were purified using mixed-mode cation exchange solid phase extraction. Standard curves generated using homogenized tissues and milk matrices were linear with correlation coefficients exceeding 0.99. The limits of detection and quantification were 1?μg/kg and 2.5?μg/kg, respectively, for all analytes in the meat tissues. The corresponding values for milk were 0.2?μg/kg and 0.5?μg/kg. The average recoveries of the spiked samples were from 84.4 to 114.2% with the standard deviations of the intra- and inter-day assays from 2.0 to 14.6% and 2.9 to 18.7%, respectively. This method is simple, economical, and time-saving for the determination of β-blockers in bovine tissue, porcine tissue, and bovine milk.     

Determination of chloramphenicol in milk by a fluorescence polarization immunoassay

A procedure for the determination of the drug chloramphenicol using a fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA) was proposed. The optimum pairs of antibodies and antigens labeled with fluorescein were chosen, and the analytical characteristics of the procedure were determined. A rapid procedure for milk sample preparation with the use of a saturated solution of ammonium sulfate was optimized. The total time of sample preparation and determination of chloramphenicol in milk was no longer than 10 min. The detection limits of chloramphenicol in water and milk were 10 ng/mL and 20 μg/kg, respectively. The procedure developed for the determination of chloramphenicol was tested in the analysis of model and real milk samples. It was found that some milk samples contained chloramphenicol in concentrations of 38–41 μg/kg, which are several times higher than the maximum permissible concentration (MPC) (10 μg/kg).     

Food contaminant analysis at high resolution mass spectrometry: application for the determination of veterinary drugs in milk

Veterinary drugs (VDs) can remain in milk as a consequence of their use in livestock. In order to control the levels of VD residues in milk, screening methodologies can be applied for a rapid discrimination among negative and non-negative samples. In a second stage, non-negative samples are classified as negative or positive samples by using a confirmation method. Pre-target screening methods in low resolution MS (LRMS) are normally applied, but the number of analytes is limited, whereas the information obtained by full scan acquisition in high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) is improved. Here, three screening methods (running time<4 min) based on Orbitrap, quadrupole-time of flight (QqTOF) and triple quadrupole (QqQ) have been compared, using in all cases ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC). For HRMS, the identification of the VDs was based on retention time (RT) and accurate mass measurements. Confirmation was based on the monitoring of fragments generated without precursor selection. The performance characteristics of the screening method provided reliable information regarding the presence or absence of the compounds below an established value, including uncertainty region and cut-off values. Better results in terms of cut-off values (≤ 5.0 μg kg(-1), except for spiramycin with a cut-off of 13.4 μg kg(-1) for milk samples and 43.1 μg kg(-1) for powdered milk based, emamectin with a cut-off of 42.2 μg kg(-1) for milk samples and doxycycline, with a cut-off value of 15.8 μg kg(-1) in powdered milk-based infant formulae) and uncertainty region were obtained using the Orbitrap-based screening method, which was submitted to further validation and used to analyze different real milk samples. The proposed method can be used in routine analysis, providing reliable results.     

Determination of closantel residues in milk and animal tissues by HPLC with fluorescence detection and SPE with oasis MAX cartridges

A liquid chromatographic method for the determination of closantel residues in milk and tissues is developed and validated. An acetonitrile-acetone solution (80:20, v/v) is used for the extraction of closantel residues from milk and animal tissues, and the extract is purified by solid-phase extraction with Oasis MAX cartridges and a mixture of formic acid-acetonitrile (5:95, v/v) as the elution solution. A C(18) bonded silica column is used for chromatographic separation. The mobile phase consists of acetonitrile-water (85:15, v/v) containing 0.05% triethylamine at pH 2.5, adjusted with phosphoric acid with the flow-rate set at 1.0 mL/min. Using the fluorescence emission of closantel at lambda(ex) = 335 nm and lambda(ex) = 510 nm, the calibration curve is linear, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9999 over the concentration range of 10-5000 microg/kg for the tissue sample and 10-5000 microg/L for the milk sample. The detection limit (s/n = 3) is 3 microg/kg for tissue sample and 3 microg/L for milk sample. The intra- and inter-day repeatabilities are between 3.35-7.66% and 4.04-8.67%, respectively. The proposed method enables the quantitative determination of closantel residues at levels as low as 10 microg/kg in animal tissue samples and 10 microg/L in milk samples.     

Targeted analysis and determination of β‐agonists,hormones, glucocorticoid and psychiatric drugs in feed by liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

A comprehensive strategy combining a quantitative method was developed for 30 banned drugs including β‐agonists, hormones, glucocorticoid and psychiatric drugs in swine and chicken feeds. This rapid, simple and effective extraction method was based on matrix solid‐phase dispersion and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. The quantitative method was validated after previous statistical optimization of the main parameters of matrix solid‐phase dispersion. The limit of quantification of dopamine hydrochloride, chlormadinone acetate, melengestrol acetate, testosterone propionate, nandrolone and midazolam was 2 μg/kg and that of the other 24 drugs was 1 μg/kg. The recoveries of β‐agonists, hormones, glucocorticoid and psychiatric drugs spiked in swine and chicken feeds at a concentration range of 1–8 μg/kg were above 70.1% with inter‐day relative standard deviations less than 15.8%. The analytical strategy was applied to 100 feed samples collected from a local market in Wuhan (China). Clenbuterol, ractopamine and melengestrol acetate were identified and quantified at the level 0.2～3.5 μg/kg. The rapid and reliable method can be used to efficiently separate, characterize and quantify the residues of 30 banned drugs in swine and chicken feeds with advantages of simple pretreatment and environmental friendly nature.     

Confirmatory identification of sixteen non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug residues in raw milk by liquid chromatography coupled with ion trap mass spectrometry

The European Council Decision 2002/657/EC established that group B substances detected in foods must be identified and confirmed on the basis of their molecular structure. To this aim, we have developed a panel of methods for unambiguous determination of sixteen non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in cattle and buffalo raw milk. A multi-residue reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method with photodiode array detection is described for quantitative screening analysis. For confirmatory purposes, two multi-residue reversed-phase ion trap liquid chromatography/electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS) methods were developed: the former to identify salicylic acid, naproxen, carprofen, flurbiprofen, ibuprofen, meclofenamic acid, niflumic acid, flunixin and its metabolite 5-hydroxyflunixin in the negative ion mode; the latter to identify ketoprofen, suxibutazone, diclofenac, mefenamic acid, tolfenamic acid, phenylbutazone and its metabolite oxyphenbutazone in the positive ion mode. These drugs are representative of different subclasses of NSAIDs not chemically related. The methods were in-house validated, evaluating specificity and calculating the mean recoveries, repeatability, within-laboratory reproducibility, and limits of quantification. For all the NSAIDs, apart from salicylic acid and 5-hydroxyflunixin, mean recoveries ranging between 69.0% and 96.7% were measured. The qualitative identification of all drugs was attained by their MS/MS spectra in the concentration range studied. Similarly, at 5 microg/kg all NSAIDs, apart from flurbiprofen, were unambiguously confirmed.     

Validation of automated library-based qualitative screening of pesticides by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry

A method for automated detection and reporting of pesticides in plant materials based on comprehensive two-dimensional GC/time-of-flight MS with library-based detection by software has been developed and validated. Optimum settings for detection parameters such as spectral match threshold and first and second dimension retention time tolerances were assessed with respect to occurrence of false detects and false negatives. Next the method was validated following European Union guidelines established for qualitative screening of pesticides. The validation was largely done in retrospect by using data obtained for spiked samples (235 pesticides, various crops, 0.01-0.2 mg/kg) that had been analyzed previously with routine samples over a period of 18 months. At 0.01 mg/kg, the required 95% confidence level (<5% false negatives) was met for 83 compounds. This increased to 185 compounds at the 0.2 mg/kg level. For a number of pesticides, especially at low levels, it had to be concluded that at this stage the method was not fit-for-purpose to reliably demonstrate the absence of pesticides in samples to be analyzed. On the other hand, the fact that the overall detection rate at 0.01 mg/kg was 71% clearly showed that the method does provide added value for the numerous pesticides that are not covered by quantitative methods because the infrequent occurrence does not justify inclusion in such methods.     

Determination of streptomycin and dihydrostreptomycin in milk and honey by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

Two liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) methods were developed for the determination of streptomycin (STR) and its derivative dihydrostreptomycin (DHSTR) in milk and honey. These aminoglycoside antibiotics are used as veterinary drugs. In the EU, the presence of dihydro- and streptomycin residues in honey is forbidden, the maximum residue level (MRL) in milk is 200 microg/kg. The methods were optimised with regard to sensitivity and chromatographic efficiency, and validated by a procedure consistent with EU directive 2002/657. Average recoveries and accompanying standard deviations were satisfactory. The limit of quantification of STR was 2 microg/kg in honey and 10 microg/kg in milk, of DHSTR it was a factor two lower. The precision of the milk analysis was improved by using STR as the internal standard for DHSTR and vice versa. In a survey of 186 honeys available on the Dutch market, 26% of the honeys of foreign origin were positive for (DH)STR. This occurence rate was consistent with previous surveys, but lower concentrations were found.     

Determination of chloramphenicol residues in meat, seafood, egg, honey, milk, plasma and urine with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and the validation of the method based on 2002/657/EC

A simple and rapid method for the determination and confirmation of chloramphenicol in several food matrices with LC-MS/MS was developed. Following addition of d5-chloramphenicol as internal standard, meat, seafood, egg, honey and milk samples were extracted with acetonitrile. Chloroform was then added to remove water. After evaporation, the residues were reconstituted in methanol/water (3+4) before injection. The urine and plasma samples were after addition of internal standard applied to a Chem Elut extraction cartridge, eluted with ethyl acetate, and hexane washed. Also these samples were reconstituted in methanol/water (3+4) after evaporation. By using an MRM acquisition method in negative ionization mode, the transitions 321-->152, 321-->194 and 326-->157 were used for quantification, confirmation and internal standard, respectively. Quantification of chloramphenicol positive samples regardless of matrix could be achieved with a common water based calibration curve. The validation of the method was based on EU-decision 2002/657 and different ways of calculating CCalpha and CCbeta were evaluated. The common CCalpha and CCbeta for all matrices were 0.02 and 0.04 microg/kg for the 321-->152 ion transition, and 0.02 and 0.03 microg/kg for the 321-->194 ion transition. At fortification level 0.1 microg/kg the within-laboratory reproducibility is below 25%.     

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.     

Multilaboratory trial for determination of ceftiofur residues in bovine and swine kidney and muscle,and bovine milk

A multilaboratory trial for determining ceftiofur-related residues in bovine and swine kidney and muscle, and bovine milk was conducted following regulatory guidelines of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Veterinary Medicine. The methods convert all desfuroylceftiofur-related residues containing the intact beta-lactam ring to desfuroylceftiofur acetamide to establish ceftiofur residues in tissues. Four laboratories analyzed 5 sets of samples for each tissue. Each sample set consisted of a control/blank sample and 3 control samples fortified with ceftiofur at 0.5 Rm, Rm, and 2 Rm, respectively, where Rm is the U.S. tolerance assigned for ceftiofur residue in each tissue/matrix: 0.100 microg/mL for milk, 8.0 microg/g for kidney (both species), 1.0 microg/g for bovine muscle, and 2.0 microg/g for swine muscle. Each sample set also contained 2 samples of incurred-residue tissues (one > Rm and one < Rm) from animals treated with ceftiofur hydrochloride. All laboratories completed the method trial after a familiarization phase and test of system suitability in which they demonstrated > 80% recovery in pretrial fortified test samples. Results showed that the methods met all acceptable performance criteria for recovery, accuracy, and precision. Although sample preparation was easy, solid-phase extraction cartridge performance must be carefully evaluated before samples are processed. The liquid chromatography detection system was easily set up; however, the elution profile may require slight modifications. The procedures could clearly differentiate between violative (> Rm) and nonviolative (< Rm) ceftiofur residues. Participating laboratories found the procedures suitable for ceftiofur residue determination.     

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.     

Simultaneous Determination of Ten Antibiotic Residues in Milk by UPLC

An analytical method for rapid screening and quantitative determination of ten antibiotics (chloramphenicol, thiamphenicol, tetracycline, oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline, metacycline, doxycycline, cefoperazone, ceftriaxone and cefaclor) residues in milk was developed using ultra performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detector. After extraction with McIIvaine buffer + methanol (8 + 2), the extract was cleaned up with solid-phase extraction cartridge. The conditions of sample extraction, cleaning and separation were optimized. The average spiked recoveries of milk samples were 52.1–68.0, 70.1–81.0 and 76.2–101.0% at spiked levels of 0.1, 0.5, 2.5 μg g^?1, respectively with precisions of 3.3–15.9%. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.003–0.022 and 0.01–0.08 μg g^?1, respectively. The proposed method has been applied to the determination of antibiotics in actual milk samples with satisfactory results.     

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.     

Determination of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and their metabolites in milk by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are widely used for treatment of animals. According to Council Directive 96/23/EC, residues of these drugs must be monitored because of the potential risk they pose to the consumers' health. For this reason an LC-MS-MS method was developed for detection of wide range of NSAIDs, including both "acidic" NSAIDs (carprofen, diclofenac, flunixin, meloxicam, phenylbutazone, oxyphenbutazone, tolfenamic acid, mefenamic acid, naproxen, ketoprofen, ibuprofen, firocoxib, rofecoxib, and celecoxib) and "basic" NSAIDs (four metamizole metabolites). Analytes were extracted from milk samples with acetonitrile in the presence of ammonium acetate. One portion of the extract was directly analyzed for the presence of metamizole metabolites; a second portion was cleaned with an amino cartridge. All NSAIDs were separated on a Phenomenex Luna C8(2) column and analyzed by LC-MS-MS in negative (acidic NSAIDs) and positive (metamizole metabolites) ion modes. The method was validated in accordance with the requirements of Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. Within-laboratory reproducibility was in the range 7-28%, and accuracy was in the range 71-116%. The method enabled detection of all the analytes with the expected sensitivity, below the recommended concentrations. The method fulfills the criteria for confirmatory methods and, because of its efficiency, may also be used for screening purposes. The procedure was also successfully verified in the proficiency test organized by EU-RL in 2010. As far as the authors are aware, this is one of the first methods capable of detecting diclofenac residues below the MRL in milk (0.1 μg kg(-1)). An additional advantage is the possibility of simultaneous determination of "acidic" NSAIDs and metamizole metabolites.     

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.