In-house validation of a liquid chromatography/electrospray tandem mass spectrometry method for confirmation of chloramphenicol residues in muscle according to Decision 2002/657/EC

In this work we present an in-house validation study for the confirmatory analysis of chloramphenicol (CAP) in muscle according to the Commission Decision 2002/657/EC requirements. CAP is extracted in acetonitrile and after liquid-liquid partitioning with n-hexane is identified and quantitatively determined by ion trap liquid chromatography/electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS) analysis in the negative ion mode. CAP was identified using the precursor ion and at least two product ions, meeting the qualitative and quantitative criteria set by the European Commission in the Decision 2002/657/EC for confirmation of prohibited veterinary drug residues. We calculated mean drug recoveries, CCalpha and CCbeta of the method, and reported data on specificity, ruggedness and within-laboratory reproducibility. Finally, we point out and discuss some problems and questions arising from controversy about the application of Decision 2002/657/EC.     

Measurement of aflatoxin M1 in milk by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive method was developed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC)/MS/MS with positive electrospray ionization for determining aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in milk and milk powder. A 50 mL quantity of low-fat liquid milk containing 100 ng/L AFM1, was prepared using immunoaffinity columns with a mean recovery rate of 79% (n = 3). UHPLC columns (BEH C18, BEH HILIC, and HSS T3) greatly reduced the chromatographic time and lowered the instrumental detection limits (IDLs) 16 to 58 times compared to an HPLC column (Betabasic C18). The HSS T3 column was chosen because it provided a low IDL (0.11 pg) and the lowest ion suppression of signal intensity (63.4%) among the tested columns. Matrix-fortified calibration curves were used for quantification and showed good linearity (r > 0.997) at 0.05-500 ng/mL. The LOD was 0.18 ng/kg for milk and 2.08 nglkg for milk powder, based on the signal intensity of the confirmatory product ion (m/z 259.1), which was less abundant than the quantitative product ion (m/z 273.1). Certified reference materials of milk powder at three levels (<0.05, 0.111 +/- 0.018, and 0.44 +/- 0.06 microg/kg) were measured within a day and between days; the results were all close to the certified levels with low variations (RSDs < 15%), showing good precision and accuracy.     

Quantitative determination of chloramphenicol in milk powders by isotope dilution liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry

A method is described for the determination of residues of the illegal antibiotic chloramphenicol (CAP) in milk powders. The analyte is quantified by liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS-MS) operating in negative ion multiple reaction monitoring mode (MRM) after a liquid-liquid extraction followed by a clean-up step on solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridge. Because of the presence of two chlorine atoms in the CAP molecule, four specific transition reactions of CAP were monitored by MS-MS in selecting m/z 321 --> 257, 321 --> 152 (35Cl2) and m/z 323 --> 257, 323 --> 152 (37Cl35Cl). Two calibration curves were constructed by plotting the area ratio of m/z 321 --> 152 versus 326 --> 157 and m/z 321 --> 257 versus 326 --> 262 against their corresponding amount ratio. Indeed, even if m/z 321 --> 152 was found to give a higher MS-MS response (calibration curve used by default), an interfering chemical substance was sometimes observed for some milk extracts and not for the transition m/z 321 --> 257. The quantitation method was validated according to the European Union (EU) criteria for the analysis of veterinary drug residues at 0.1, 0.2 and 0.5 microg/kg concentration levels using d5-CAP as internal standard. The decision limit (CCalpha) and detection capability (CCbeta) of CAP in milk were calculated for m/z 321 --> 152 at 0.02 microg/kg and 0.03 microg/kg, respectively, and for m/z 321 --> 257 at 0.02 microg/kg and 0.04 microg/kg, respectively. At the lowest fortification level (i.e. 0.1 microg/kg), repeatability and within-laboratory reproducibility were calculated for m/z 321 --> 257 both at 0.02 microg/kg and for m/z 321 --> 152 at 0.03 and 0.05 microg/kg, respectively. Moreover, the measurement of uncertainty of the analytical method was calculated at the same spiking levels and falls within the precision values of the within-laboratory reproducibility. This method can be applied to several types of milk powders (e.g. full cream, skim) and can serve as a monitoring tool to avoid that unacceptable levels of residues of CAP enter the food chain.     

pH titration curves of the desialylated human alpha 1-acid glycoprotein variants by combined isoelectrofocusing-electrophoresis: utilization in the development of a fractionation method for the protein variants by chromatography on immobilized metal affinity adsorbent.

Using a two-dimensional isoelectrofocusing (IEF)-electrophoresis technique, the pH titration curves of the three main desialylated variants (F1, S and A) of human alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AAG) were studied to assist in the development of a fractionation method for the AAG variants. For this purpose, different AAG samples, each corresponding to one of the three main phenotypes of the protein (F1S/A, F1/A and S/A), were first purified by chromatographic separation of individual human plasma samples on immobilized Cibacron Blue F3G-A. The purified AAG samples were then disialylated and their heterogeneity was checked by analytical IEF. The pH-mobility curves of the desialylated AAG samples were displayed in polyacrylamide gel slabs, under a constant set of experimental conditions, by carrying out electrophoresis of the protein samples perpendicularly to two stationary pH gradients: a large gradient (pH 3.5-9.5) and a narrow gradient (pH 5-8). The curves showed that all the desialylated variants of AAG exhibited small charge differences and moved closely together between about pH 3.5-5.5 and pH 7.5-9.5. However, the variants were found to show microheterogeneity in their total charge between about pH 5.5 and 7.5 due to the titrated ionizable groups involved along this pH zone. This microheterogeneity was assumed to be accounted for by the existence of differences between the titratable histidyl residues of the AAG variants. Consequently, the interactions of the variants with immobilized transition metal ions were studied at pH 7, using affinity chromatography on an iminodiacetate Sepharose-Cu(II) gel. It was found that the A variant was strongly bound by immobilized Cu(II) ions, whereas the F1 and S variants interacted non-specifically with the immobilized ligand. This finding allowed the development of a rapid and effective fractionation method for desialylated AAG into its A and F1 or S variants, depending on the AAG phenotype, by chromatography on an immobilized affinity Cu(II) adsorbent. The quantitative relationships between immobilized Cu(II) ions and desialylated AAG (the apparent association constant and gel protein-binding capacity) were also determined using a non-chromatographic equilibrium binding technique.     

Fractionation and analysis of Artemisia capillaris Thunb. by affinity chromatography with human serum albumin as stationary phase

A method for the screening and analysis of biologically active compounds in traditional Chinese medicine is proposed. Affinity chromatography using a human serum albumin (HSA) stationary phase was applied to separate and analyze the bioactive compounds from Artemisia capillaris Thunb. Five major peaks and several minor peaks were resolved based on their affinity to HSA, two of them were identified as scoparone (SCO, 6,7-dimethoxycoumarin) and capillarisin (CAP). CAP shows a much higher affinity to HSA than SCO. The effects of acetonitrile concentration, eluent pH, phosphate concentration and temperature on the retention behaviors of several major active components were also investigated, and it was found that hydrophobicity and eluent pH play major roles in changing retention values. The results demonstrate that the affinity chromatography with a HSA stationary phase is an effective way for analyzing and screening biologically active compounds in traditional Chinese medicine.     

Determination of chloramphenicol residues in milk, eggs, and tissues by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry

A new liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) method is presented for the determination of chloramphenicol (CAP) residues in milk, eggs, chicken muscle and liver, and beef muscle and kidney. CAP is extracted from the samples with acetonitrile and defatted with hexane. The acetonitrile extracts are then evaporated, and residues are reconstituted in 10mM ammonium acetate--acetonitrile mobile phase and injected into the LC system. CAP is determined by reversed-phase chromatography using an Inertsil ODS-2 column and MS detection with negative ion electrospray ionization. Calibration curves were linear between 0.5-5.0 ng/g for all matrixes studied. The relative standard deviations for measurements by this method were generally <12%, and average recoveries ranged from 80 to 120%, depending on the matrix involved. The method detection limits of CAP ranged from 0.2 to 0.6 ng/g, which are comparable to previously reported results. The proposed method is rapid, simple, and specific, allowing a single analyst to easily prepare over 40 samples in a regular working day.     

Confirmation of moxidectin residues in cattle fat by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry

Moxidectin, a potent new endo- and ectoparasitic agent, is determined in cattle tissues by liquid chromatography (LC) with fluorescence detection. The original confirmatory method for moxidectin in cattle fat, the target tissue for regulatory purposes, was LC with mass spectrometry (MS) using thermospray (TSP) ionization and selected ion monitoring. As newer ionization techniques for LC/MS made TSP obsolete and with the availability of a new generation of benchtop LC/MS instrumentation, the confirmation of moxidectin in cattle fat was re-evaluated. The ionization techniques of atmospheric pressure chemical ionization versus electrospray ionization, the detection techniques of single-stage MS versus tandem MS, and the instrumentation of ion trap versus quadrupole were investigated. The final confirmatory method was based on full-scan single-stage MS. Even with full-scan detection, the analysis required at least 10-fold less extract than the original TSP method. The applicability of this new confirmatory method was demonstrated on both ion trap and quadrupole instruments.     

Determination of tetracycline antibiotics in cow's milk by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A liquid chromatographic/tandem mass spectrometric (LC/MS/MS) multiresidue method for the simultaneous quantitative determination of oxytetracycline, 4-epi-oxytetracycline, tetracycline, 4-epi-tetracycline, chlortetracycline, 4-epi-chlortetracycline and doxycycline in milk has been developed. An extraction procedure consisting of a liquid extraction of the milk samples with trichloroacetic acid was performed. The extract was centrifuged and the supernatant was filtered. Solid-phase extraction (SPE) with an OASIS HLB SPE column was used to clean up the sample extracts. The samples were analysed by LC/MS/MS. The LC separation was performed on a reversed-phase C18 column using gradient elution with a mobile phase consisting of water and a mixture of methanol/acetonitrile. The tetracycline analytes were detected with a quadrupole mass spectrometer using positive ion electrospray ionisation. The confirmatory method has acceptable detection limits and the different tetracyclines can be detected at a residue concentration between 5 and 20 microg/L. The method is validated according to the European requirements for veterinary drug residues and all determined parameters were found to conform to the criteria. The recovery values ranged from 90.4 to 101.2% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) no larger than 9.7%. The overall or between-day precision of the analytical assay determined as repeatability at several residue concentrations and expressed as RSD ranged from 3.3 to 10%. This analytical assay is a useful tool within the Belgian monitoring programme for confirmation of samples which have been positively screened for residues of tetracyclines in raw farm cow's milk.     

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.     

An analytical strategy for identification of a somatotropin‐like bioactive peptide by ion trap liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry after immuno‐affinity purification from buffalo serum

The use of growth hormones, such as native and recombinant somatotropins, is forbidden in the European Union (EU), but is legal in the USA. The misuse of recombinant bovine somatotropin in Italy is suspected for enhancing milk production, thanks to its availability on the illegal market. A synthetic bioactive peptide of 27 amino acids derived from bovine somatotropin was successfully tested in France and in southern Italy for scientific purposes, to stimulate milk production, both in cows and buffaloes. This somatotropin‐like peptide (PEP‐ST), suspected for illegal use in southern Italy, was synthesized by linking the 104–113 sequence of bovine somatotropin to the 323–339 sequence of ovalbumin. Herein, a method for detection and identification of the PEP‐ST in buffalo serum is described; our strategy was based on the production of IgG anti‐PEP‐ST, used to synthesize an immuno‐affinity column for peptide purification from buffalo serum, prior to analysis by ion trap liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI‐MS/MS). The immuno‐affinity column was successfully used to purify in a single step the bioactive PEP‐ST from buffalo serum samples spiked at 20, 50 and 200 µg/mL for confirmatory analysis. Ion trap LC/ESI‐MS/MS identification was based on detection of a multi‐charged molecular ion and its characteristic fragmentation pattern. No significant matrix interference was observed, accounting for method specificity. We consider this strategy to be a basic approach that could be improved in the perspective of the official control of illegal use of somatotropin and somatotropin‐like compounds in buffalo breeding. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of phospholipids in milk samples by means of hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled to evaporative light scattering and mass spectrometry detection

The combined use of the state-of-the-art hybrid mass spectrometers together with high efficient liquid chromatography could surely be a useful tool for such a challenging task, as phospholipids (PLs) analysis. In this research, we used hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (150 mm×2.1 mm I.D., 2.7 μm d.p. partially porous column) to achieve the separation of major PLs classes in cow's and donkey's milk samples. Solid-phase extraction (SPE) was performed in order to pre-concentrate minor PLs from non polar lipids (triacylglycerols) and the recovery for the extraction method was assayed on a milk sample, fortified with 5 μg/mL of SM pure standard, and analyzed in triplicate. A value of 89.99% was calculated, with a coefficient of variation (CV%) of 1.93. A 70-min long stepwise gradient of water/acetonitrile afforded baseline separation of PLs classes, at 50 μL/min flow rate. Accurate detection by an ion trap-time of flight (IT-TOF) mass spectrometer (in both positive and negative ionization mode) allowed to fully characterize the distinctive phospholipid profile and fatty acid composition of cow's and donkey's milk, the latter being analyzed for the first time. Evaporative light scattering detection was further employed to attain the quantitative evaluation of major PLs classes identified, by the external calibration method using reference material solutions in the 5-200 μg/mL concentration range. Major difference between the two analyzed samples consisted in the total PLs amount, which in cow's milk was determined as over 20-fold higher than the donkey's.     

Fractionation and analysis of Artemisia capillaris Thunb. by affinity chromatography with human serum albumin as stationary phase

A method for the screening and analysis of biologically active compounds in traditional Chinese medicine is proposed. Affinity chromatography using a human serum albumin (HSA) stationary phase was applied to separate and analyze the bioactive compounds from Artemisia capillaris Thunb. Five major peaks and several minor peaks were resolved based on their affinity to HSA, two of them were identified as scoparone (SCO, 6,7-dimethoxycoumarin) and capillarisin (CAP). CAP shows a much higher affinity to HSA than SCO. The effects of acetonitrile concentration, eluent pH, phosphate concentration and temperature on the retention behaviors of several major active components were also investigated, and it was found that hydrophobicity and eluent pH play major roles in changing retention values. The results demonstrate that the affinity chromatography with a HSA stationary phase is an effective way for analyzing and screening biologically active compounds in traditional Chinese medicine.     

Separation and determination of denatured alpha(s1)-, alpha(s2)-, beta- and kappa-caseins by hydrophobic interaction chromatography in cows', ewes' and goats' milk,milk mixtures and cheeses

Caseins alpha(s1)-, alpha(s2)-, beta- and kappa- from raw cows', ewes' and goats' milk were separated and determined by hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) by using a Propyl column (Eichrom) in the presence of 8.0 M urea in the mobile phase. The method is based on fast and easy solubilization of real raw samples by 4.0 M guanidine thiocyanate followed by the HIC analysis, without any preliminary precipitation or separation of the casein fraction. Elution conditions have been optimized by analyzing commercial single bovine standard caseins and their mixture. In the optimized chromatographic conditions the four casein fractions were separated in less than 45 min. A linear relationship between the concentration of casein and peak area (UV absorbance detector at 280 nm) has been obtained over the concentration range of 0.5 to 40 microM. The detection limit for alpha-, beta- and kappa-caseins ranged between 0.35 and 0.70 microM. The precision of the method was evaluated, the coefficient of variation for alpha-, beta- and kappa-casein determination ranging between 3.0 and 6.0%. The method has been validated by the analysis of reference skim milk powder (BCR-063R) certificated for total nitrogen content. The method was applied to commercial casein mixture and to the qualitative and quantitative analysis of casein fractions in unprocessed, raw cows', goats' and ewes' milk (10 samples analyzed for each species), in one sample of unprocessed buffalos' milk and in commercial cheeses (mozzarella, robiola, ricotta and stracchino). Binary mixtures of milk (cow/goat and cow/ewe) were also analyzed and the ratio between casein peak areas (alpha(s1)/kappa, alpha(s2)/beta, beta/kappa and alpha(s2)/alpha(s1)) of the HIC chromatograms was proposed and discussed in order to evaluate a possible application of this method to detect milk adulteration.     

Confirmatory analysis of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in bovine milk by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

HPLC with fluorescence detection is considered for confirmatory analysis of group B veterinary drugs by the European Union legislation. A procedure for confirming the presence of anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drug (NSAID) residues in bovine milk by reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection is herein described. The native fluorescence of nine drugs belonging to different NSAID sub-classes, namely flurbiprofen, carprofen, naproxen, vedaprofen, 5-hydroxy-flunixin, niflumic acid, mefenamic acid, meclofenamic acid and tolfenamic acid, allowed for detection in bovine milk down to 0.25–20.0 μg/kg. Confirmation of the nine NSAIDs is attained by fluorescence detection at characteristic excitation and emission wavelengths. The procedure described is simple and selective. Limits of quantification (LOQs) ranging between 0.25 and 20 μg/kg were measured; satisfactory trueness and within-laboratory reproducibility data were calculated at LOQ spiking levels, apart from 5-hydroxy-flunixin. The procedure developed is used in our laboratory for confirmation of each one of the above mentioned NSAIDs in bovine milk, to support results after HPLC quantitative analysis with UV–vis detection.     

Fully automated screening of veterinary drugs in milk by turbulent flow chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry

There is an increasing interest in screening methods for quick and sensitive analysis of various classes of veterinary drugs with limited sample pre-treatment. Turbulent flow chromatography in combination with tandem mass spectrometry has been applied for the first time as an efficient screening method in routine analysis of milk samples. Eight veterinary drugs, belonging to seven different classes were selected for this study. After developing and optimising the method, parameters such as linearity, repeatability, matrix effects and carry-over were studied. The screening method was then tested in the routine analysis of 12 raw milk samples. Even without internal standards, the linearity of the method was found to be good in the concentration range of 50 to 500 μg/L. Regarding repeatability, RSDs below 12% were obtained for all analytes, with only a few exceptions. The limits of detection were between 0.1 and 5.2 μg/L, far below the maximum residue levels for milk set by the EU regulations. While matrix effects—ion suppression or enhancement—are obtained for all the analytes the method has proved to be useful for screening purposes because of its sensitivity, linearity and repeatability. Furthermore, when performing the routine analysis of the raw milk samples, no false positive or negative results were obtained.     

Rapid residue analysis of fluoroquinolones in raw bovine milk by online solid phase extraction followed by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry

Online solid phase extraction followed by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry was used for the determination of 15 fluoroquinolones and one quinolone antibiotic in raw bovine and skimmed commercial milk. Milk samples were partially deproteinized and defatted by 15 min centrifugation and then subjected to online solid phase extraction. Chromatographic separation was achieved in less than 15 min. Identification and quantification of the compounds of interest were performed by selected reaction monitoring, using an electrospray ionization source. Relative recoveries were calculated for raw milk (at 0.5, 1 and 1.5 times the MRL, or assuming 30 ng/mL for non permitted compounds) and skimmed milk (at 30 ng/mL) and ranged between 65% and 123% (raw milk) or 78% and 109% (skimmed milk). Matrix interferences were also assessed and yielded significant suppression and enhancement effects, which, at the time of quantification, were corrected by the use of six isotopically labeled standards. Quality parameters of the method were established, and limits of detection of selected antibiotics in raw milk ranged from 0.01 to 1.93 ng/mL, while in skimmed milk from 0.03 to 4.23 ng/mL. The validation of the method has been carried out according to the requirements set by the 2002/657/EC regulation. Finally, the applicability of the method was tested by analysing 28 milk samples.     

Novel immobilized zinc(II) affinity chromatography for phosphopeptides and phosphorylated proteins

Immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography (IMAC) is now a widely accepted technique for the separation of natural or artificial products that is beginning to find industrial applications. Here, we introduce a novel procedure for the separation of phosphopeptides and phosphorylated proteins by immobilized zinc(II) affinity chromatography. The phosphate-binding site of the affinity gel is an alkoxide-bridged dinuclear zinc(II) complex, the 1,3-bis[bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino]propan-2-olato dizinc(II) complex (Phos-tag), which is linked to a highly cross-linked 4% (w/v) agarose. The affinity gel (Phos-tag agarose) was prepared by the quantitative reaction of N-hydroxysuccinimide-activated Sepharose and a Phos-tag derivative having a 2-aminoethylcarbamoyl group in dry CH3CN. Phosphopeptides were retrieved in a quantitative and highly selective manner by a spin column method using Phos-tag agarose at room temperature. Furthermore, in this study, we demonstrate a simple, rapid, and reusable affinity column chromatography for the separation of phosphorylated proteins such as ovalbumin, alpha(s1)-casein, and beta-casein at physiological pH.     

分子印迹基质固相分散-液相色谱法测定牛奶中的氯霉素残留

以对模板分子具有较强识别特性的分子印迹聚合物为基质固相分散吸附剂, 提取牛奶中痕量氯霉素, 最后用HPLC法测定. 研究了氯霉素分子印迹聚合物对样品中氯霉素的提取和净化效果, 在优化条件下, 方法的检出限为0.15 ng/mL, 定量限为0.50 ng/mL. 不同氯霉素添加量的回收率大于93.2%, RSD＜5.9%. 方法适用于牛奶中氯霉素残留的测定.     

离子色谱法定量检测酒曲发酵液中的河豚毒素

建立了一种离子色谱定量检测酒曲发酵液中河豚毒素的分析方法。样品经乙腈(含0.1%磷酸)溶液提取和阳离子交换柱净化后,采用离子交换色谱柱分离和紫外检测。在优化的条件下,酒曲样品中的河豚毒素在10～100 mg/L内呈良好的线性关系(r2=0.997),加标回收率为90%～103%,相对标准偏差小于4.9%,检出限(信噪比为3)为1.0 mg/L。结果表明,该方法能达到定量检测的目的。将该方法应用于实际样品的检测,验证了方法的可靠性。河豚毒素初步降解实验发现,随着时间的推移,酒曲中河豚毒素的含量逐渐减少,表明酒曲发酵液对河豚毒素的降解效果显著。     

Determination of chloramphenicol in bovine milk by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A rapid confirmatory liquid chromatographic/tandem mass spectrometic method was developed for determination of chloramphenicol in bovine milk. Chloramphenicol was extracted directly from milk by solid-phase extraction on a C18 cartridge. The extract was further cleaned up on neutral aluminium oxide. Three transition products were monitored in negative ion mode after atmospheric pressure chemical ionization. The detection capability related to the transition product of lowest abundance was 0.03 microg/kg. The mean recovery was 90% at levels of 0.1-0.2 microg/kg. The relative repeatability standard deviations were 4.3, 3.8, and 2.8% at levels of 0.1, 0.2, and 1.0 microg/kg, respectively.