LC-MS determination of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates and their carboxylic degradation products in influent and effluent water samples and sludges from sewage-treatment plants

Linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) have been determined in samples of the influent and the effluent, and in the sludge, from sewage-treatment plants (STP). LAS and sulfophenyl carboxylate compounds (SPC) were isolated by solid-phase extraction (SPE) with the polymeric phase Isolute ENV, then determined by liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS). The method enabled unequivocal identification of C10-C13 LAS by monitoring the ion at m/z 183 and the base peak corresponding to the [M-H]- ion. Average recoveries varied from 77-93% and the linear range of the method varied from 0.2 to 10 microg L(-1), with a limit of detection ranging from 10 ng L(-1) to 1.5 microg L(-1) when 200 mL waste water were preconcentrated. For sewage sludge, recoveries varied from 58 to 90% and the linear range was between 0.2 and 100 microg L(-1), with a detection limit ranging from 0.4 to 120 microg kg(-1) when 2.5 g sewage sludge was extracted. Unequivocal identification and determination of some metabolites of the LAS, the sulfophenyl carboxylate compounds (SPC), was achieved by monitoring [M-H]- ions.     

Development of an HPLC method for the determination of salidroside in beagle dog plasma after administration of salidroside injection: application to a pharmacokinetics study

A simple RP-HPLC method was established for the determination of salidroside in dog plasma. Salidroside is one of the most active ingredients of Rhodiola L. The method had within-run precision values in the range of +/- 2.3 to +/- 9.1% (n = 5) and between-run precision in the range of +/- 3.2 to +/- 9.8%. A simple protein precipitation for salidroside extraction was processed using ACN at precipitant-to-plasma volume ratio (P-P ratio) of 3:2. The extraction recoveries of salidroside at seven concentrations were higher than 63.2%. There was a linear relationship between chromatographic area and concentration over the range of 0.83-520 microg/mL for salidroside in plasma (R = 0.9926). The LOQ (S/N = 10) of the method was 0.83 microg/mL. The method was applied in a study of the pharmacokinetics of salidroside injection in six beagle dogs. The major pharmacokinetic parameters of C(max), AUC(0-24), AUC(0-infinity), and t(1/2) of salidroside in beagle dogs after i.v. administration of a single 75 mg/kg (5 mL/kg) dose were 96.16 +/- 8.59 microg/mL, 180.3 +/- 30.6 microg h/mL, 189.3 +/- 32.1 microg h/mL, and 2.006 +/- 0.615 h, respectively.     

Multiresidue method for the analysis of more than 140 pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables by gas chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry

A new multiresidue method has been developed and validated for the determination of more than 140 pesticide residues in cucumber and orange by gas chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-QqQ-MS/MS) in a single run of 25.50 min. The triple quadrupole (QqQ) analyzer simultaneously operated in the selected reaction monitoring (SRM) and selected ion monitoring (SIM) modes, acquiring two or three transitions per compound. Samples were extracted by the application of a single-phase extraction of 10 g of sample with acetonitrile containing 1% of acetic acid, followed by a liquid-liquid partition formed by the addition of 4 g of MgSO(4) and 1 g of NaOAc. A dispersive solid-phase extraction (D-SPE) with primary secondary amine (PSA) was applied to clean up the extracts. A final concentration step was included in order to increase sensitivity in the instrumental analysis. The method was properly validated in each matrix in a wide dynamic range (10-400 microg kg(-1)): this work relies on a new quantification strategy by the use of two calibration curves to increase the dynamic range, which permitted reduction of sample dilutions and increase in sample throughput. Recovery was studied at three concentration levels (11.5, 50.0, and 150.0 microg kg(-1)), yielding values in the range 70-110% with precision values, expressed as relative standard deviation (RSD), lower than 20 and 25% for the intraday and interday precision, respectively. Limits of quantification (LOQs) were established at 10 microg kg(-1), the lowest maximum residue level (MRL) value set by the European Union in vegetables. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of pesticide residues in real samples from the southeastern Spain. Copyright (c) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of phoxim residues in eggs by using high-performance liquid chromatography diode array detection after treatment of stocked housing facilities for the poultry red mite (Dermanyssus gallinae)

The poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae is the most important ectoparasite of poultry in several European countries. Phoxim is a well-known antiparasitic agent in wide use. Initial studies indicated that this compound could successfully be applied to eliminate D. gallinae in egg-laying birds and in henhouses by treating the cages and the equipment with it. In order to investigate whether phoxim residues are present in eggs from laying hens, we developed a selective and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography method employing a simple water/acetonitrile gradient system. The amount of phoxim was determined by UV detection at 281 nm, and the presence of the residue was confirmed by diode array detection. The eggs were homogenized for sample pretreatment and extracted with acetonitrile and partitioned with n-hexane. The acetonitrile extract was further purified with silica gel column chromatography. Recovery rates (performed at the 5-120 microg kg(-1) level) were in the range of 86.0-92.1% with relative standard deviations between 3.1% and 16.3%. Based on a signal to noise ratio of 3, the limit of detection of the assay was approximately 2 microg kg(-1). The day-to-day variation in the concentration of phoxim in four contaminated eggs (5.7-51.6 microg kg(-1)) was generally less than 20%. The decision limit (CCalpha) and the detection capability (CCbeta) were 62.0 and 68.7 microg kg(-1), respectively. The applicability of the method was demonstrated in eggs from three clinical trials and from a field study. In these investigations, all animals were kept in conventional battery cages. No sample was found containing more than the maximum residue level of 60 microg kg(-1) for phoxim in eggs as given in Annex I of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2377/90.     

Liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry--detection of lipophilic shellfish toxins

A rapid multiple toxin method based on liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (LC/MS) was developed for the detection of okadaic acid (OA), dinophysistoxin-1 (DTX-1), DTX-2, yessotoxin (YTX), homoYTX, 45-hydroxy-YTX, 45-hydroxyhomo-YTX, pectenotoxin-1 (PTX-1), PTX-2, azaspiracid-1 (AZA-1), AZA-2, and AZA-3. Toxins were extracted from shellfish using methanol-water (80%, v/v) and were analyzed using a C8 reversed-phase column with a 5 mM ammonium acetate-acetonitrile mobile phase under gradient conditions. The method was validated for the quantitative detection of OA, YTX, PTX-2, and AZA-1 in 4 species (mussels, Mytilus edulis; cockles, Cerastoderma edule; oysters, Crassostrea gigas; king scallop, Pecten maximus) of shellfish obtained from United Kingdom (UK) waters. Matrix interferences in the determination of the toxins in these species were investigated. The validated linear range of the method was 13-250 microg/kg for OA, PTX-2, and AZA-1 and 100-400 microg/kg for YTX. Recovery and precision ranged between 72-120 and 1-22%, respectively, over a fortification range of 40-160 microg/kg for OA, PTX-2, and AZA-1 and 100-400 microg/kg for YTX. The limit of detection, reproducibility, and repeatability of analysis showed acceptable performance characteristics. A further LC/MS method using an alkaline hydrolysis step was assessed for the detection of OA, DTX-1, and DTX-2 in their esterified forms. In combination with the LC/MS multiple toxin method, this allows detection of all toxin groups described in Commission Decision 2002/225/EC.     

Multiresidue determination of fluoroquinolones in eggs

A multiresidue method was developed for the determination of fluoroquinolones in eggs. Extraction of eggs with ammoniacal acetonitrile was followed by liquid-liquid defatting, solvent evaporation, and redissolution in a small volume of buffer. The fluoroquinolones were further purified by on-line microdialysis, concentrated on a trace enrichment column, and separated by reversed-phase liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Norfloxacin (NOR), ciprofloxacin (CIP), and sarafloxacin (SAR) were extracted from fortified eggs over a range of 2-200 microg/kg, with recoveries of 65.7-78.9%, 65.6-77.1%, and 67.6-110%, respectively. Enrofloxacin (ENRO) was extracted over a range of 1-100 microg/kg, with recoveries of 71.5-86.7%, whereas desethylene ciprofloxacin (DCIP) and danofloxacin (DANO) were extracted over a range of 0.2-20 microg/kg, with recoveries of 68.7-90.7% and 76.0-93.8%, respectively. The limits of quantitation for the 6 fluoroquinolones were as follows: DCIP and DANO, 0.3 microg/kg; ENRO, 1 microg/kg; NOR and CIP, 2 microg/kg; and SAR, 3 microg/kg. Both SAR and ENRO incurred eggs were also successfully analyzed using this method.     

Application of matrix solid-phase dispersion to the determination of a new generation of fungicides in fruits and vegetables

A method based on matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) and gas chromatography to determine eight fungicides in fruits and vegetables is described. Fungicide residues were identified and quantified using nitrogen-phosphorus detection and electron-capture detection connected in parallel and confirmed by mass spectrometric detection. The method required 0.5 g of sample, C18 bonded silica as dispersant sorbent, silica as clean-up sorbent and ethyl acetate as eluting solvent. Recoveries from spiked orange, apple, tomato, artichoke, carrot and courgette samples ranged from 62 to 102% and relative standard deviations were less than 15% in the concentration range 0.05-10 mg kg(-1). Detection and quantitation limits ranged 3-30 microg kg(-1) and 10-100 microg kg(-1), respectively, with linear calibration curves up to 10 mg kg(-1). The analytical characteristics of MSPD compared very favourably with the results of a classical multiresidue method, which uses ethyl acetate and anhydrous sodium sulphate for the extraction.     

Application of gas chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry in the quantification-confirmation of pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in eggs at trace levels

A new multiresidue method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous analysis of 57 compounds, including organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticide residues (OCPs and OPPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), in eggs at trace levels by gas chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-QqQ-MS/MS). Egg samples were extracted by a simple and fast matrix solid phase dispersion (MSPD) procedure using C18 as sorbent, and ethyl acetate and acetonitrile saturated in n-hexane (85:15, v/v) as elution solvent with a simultaneous clean up with Florisil in-line. The QqQ analyzer acquired data in selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode, permitting both quantification and confirmation in a single injection with a running time reduced up to 17.70 min. Recovery was in the range of 70-110% and 70-106% at 15 and 50 microg/kg, respectively. Precision values expressed as relative standard deviation (RSD) were lower than 20%. Linearity in the range of 10-150 microg/kg provided determination coefficients (R(2)) higher than 0.98 for all compounds. Limits of detection (LODs) for pesticides were < or =2.25 microg/kg and limits of quantification (LOQs) ranged from 0.02 to 7.78 microg/kg. LODs for PCBs were < or =0.41 microg/kg and LOQ were < or =0.71 microg/kg. The method was applied to real samples. Endosulfan sulphate and p,p'-DDE were found in two samples at concentrations below the first calibration level.     

Adsorptive stripping voltammetric determination of azithromycin at a glassy carbon electrode modified by electrochemical oxidation.

The adsorptive and electrochemical behaviors of azithromycin were investigated on a glassy carbon electrode that was electrochemically treated by anodic oxidation at +1.8 V, following potential cycling in the potential range from -0.8 to +1.0 V. The resulting electrode showed good activity to improve the electrochemical response of the drug. An adsorptive stripping voltammetric method for the determination of azithromycin at an electrochemically activated glassy carbon electrode has been developed. Azithromycin was accumulated in phosphate buffer, pH 6, at a potential of +0.3 V (vs. Ag/AgCl electrode) for a certain time, and then determined by differential pulse voltammetry. The oxidative peak current at +0.82 V, at a scan rate of 20 mV s(-1), was a linear function of the concentration in the ranges of 0.25 - 2 microg mL(-1) and 1 - 10 microg mL(-1) using a 240 or 60 s(-1) preconcentration time, respectively. Application of the method to the determination of azithromycin in pharmaceuticals resulted in an acceptable deviation from the stated concentration. The preconcentration medium-exchange approach was utilized for the selective determination of the drug in spiked urine samples with satisfactory results. The peak current was linear with the drug concentration in the range of 0.5 - 3.5 microg per mL urine. The detection limit was 0.2 microg mL(-1) urine. The recovery levels of the method reached 96.3%.     

免疫亲和柱净化-柱后光化学衍生-高效液相色谱法同时检测粮谷中的黄曲霉毒素、玉米赤霉烯酮和赭曲霉毒素A

建立了同时检测粮谷中黄曲霉毒素(B1、B2、G1和G2)、玉米赤霉烯酮和赭曲霉毒素A的免疫亲和柱净化-柱后光化学衍生-高效液相色谱方法。样品经过甲醇-水(体积比为80∶20)提取,通过免疫亲和柱富集和净化,采用Waters Nova-Pak色谱柱(3.9 mm i.d.×150 mm,4 μm),以甲醇、乙腈和1%的磷酸溶液为流动相,梯度洗脱,柱后光化学衍生、改变波长荧光检测。黄曲霉毒素(B1、B2、G1和G2)、玉米赤霉烯酮和赭曲霉毒素A检出限分别为0.24,4.0和0.5 μg/kg,标准曲线的线性范围分别为0.24~6.0,4.0~100.0和0.5~40.0 μg/L;在小麦、玉米、黑麦样品中,平均加标回收率为70.8% ~94.0%,相对标准偏差为2.79% ~9.38%。     

Resonance light scattering method for the determination of anionic surfactant with acridine orange

The resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS), second-order scattering (SOS) and frequency-double scattering (FDS) spectra of sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS) (anionic surfactant (AS)) with acridine orange (AO) system were studied. Experimental results showed that when lambda(em) = lambda(ex) = 537 nm, the RRS peak of AO was greatly enhanced with the increase of SDBS concentration at a pH range of 1.8-4.0. The linear range of the calibration curve for SDBS was 0.028-8.71 mg L(-1) with a detection limit of 8.36 microg L(-1) when the AO concentration was 2.5 x 10(-5)mol L(-1). The method has been applied to the determination of trace amount of AS in environmental water samples with satisfactory results. In addition, when lambda(em) = 321 nm and lambda(ex) = 642 nm, the intensity of FDS was proportional to the SDBS concentration ranging from 0.014 to 8.71 mg L(-1) and the correlation coefficient was 0.993 with a detection limit of 4.31 microg L(-1); when lambda(em) = 642 nm and lambda(ex) = 321 nm, the intensity of SOS was proportional to the SDBS concentration ranging from 0.050 to 8.71 mg L(-1), and the correlation coefficient was 0.993 with a detection limit of 14.9 microg L(-1).     

Analysis of acrylamide in food products by in-line preconcentration capillary zone electrophoresis

Two in-line preconcentration capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) methods (field amplified sample injection (FASI) and stacking with sample matrix removal (LVSS)) have been evaluated for the analysis of acrylamide (AA) in foodstuffs. To allow the determination of AA by CZE, it was derivatized using 2-mercaptobenzoic acid. For FASI, the optimum conditions were water at pH > or = 10 adjusted with NH3 as sample solvent, 35 s hydrodynamic injection (0.5 psi) of a water plug, 35 s of electrokinetic injection (-10 kV) of the sample, and 6s hydrodynamic injection (0.5 psi) of another water plug to prevent AA removal by EOF. In stacking with sample matrix removal, the reversal time was found to be around 3.3 min. A 40 mM phosphate buffer (pH 8.5) was used as carrier electrolyte for CZE separation in both cases. For both FASI and LVSS methods, linear calibration curves over the range studied (10-1000 microg L(-1) and 25-1000 microg L(-1), respectively), limit of detection (LOD) on standards (1 microg L(-1) for FASI and 7 microg L(-1) for LVSS), limit of detection on samples (3 ng g(-1) for FASI and 20 ng g(-1) for LVSS) and both run-to-run (up to 14% for concentration and 0.8% for time values) and day-to-day precisions (up to 16% and 5% for concentration and time values, respectively) were established. Due to the lower detection limits obtained with the FASI-CZE this method was applied to the analysis of AA in different foodstuffs such as biscuits, cereals, crisp bread, snacks and coffee, and the results were compared with those obtained by LC-MS/MS.     

Development and application of spectrophotometric methods for the determination of citalopram hydrobromide in dosage forms

Study was carried out to develop two simple, fast, accurate and sensitive spectrophotometric methods (A and B) for the determination of citalopram hydrobromide in commercial tablet formulations. In method A, UV spectrophotometer determined the contents of citalopram hydrobromide in tablets at 240 nm in methanol solvent. The linear range was 5-40 microg ml-1 with molar absorptivity 1.4x10(4) l mol-1 cm-1. While the method B based on the reaction of citalopram base as n-electron donor with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone as pi-acceptors to give highly colored complex species that absorb maximally at 590 nm. Beer's law was obeyed in the concentration limit of 10-250 microg ml-1 with molar absorptivity 3.3x10(3) l mol-1 cm-1 for citalopram hydrobromide. The limits of detection and limit of quantification was calculated and found to be 5.2 microg ml-1 and 17.4 microg ml-1 respectively. The proposed methods were found to be rapid, accurate, precise and sensitive for the determination of citalopram hydrobromide in commercial tablet formulations with out interferences from common additives encountered.     

Development of a quantitative method for determination of acrylamide in infant powdered milk and baby foods in jars using isotope dilution liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

An improved method has been developed for the determination of acrylamide in infant powdered milk and baby foods in jars, a particular class of foodstuffs which represent an important source of nutrition for young infants and babies. This method uses isotope dilution liquid chromatography coupled to a tandem mass spectrometer with electrospray ionization and is significantly more sensitive than previous published methods with a limit of quantification estimated at 1 microg kg(-1). The new method offers effective sample preparation procedures including defatting with petroleum ether, extraction with aqueous solution of sodium chloride, further liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate and clean-up by solid-phase extraction (SPE) with HLB 200 mg cartridges. The analytical method was well validated and good results were obtained with respect to repeatability (RSD < 5%) and recovery (86-97%) which fulfilled the requirements defined by European Union (EU) legislation. The acrylamide level in infant powdered milk and baby foods in jars were 3.01-9.06 microg kg(-1) and 6.80-124.93 microg kg(-1), respectively. Especially, this new method is successfully applied to the trace quantification of acrylamide in infant/baby foods, the content of which is less than 10 microg kg(-1).     

液相色谱-电喷雾质谱/质谱法测定高温烹制的淀粉类食品中的丙烯酰胺

以C18反相色谱柱为分析柱,以0.1%甲酸水溶液-甲醇(体积比为98∶2)为流动相,采用同位素稀释液相色谱-电喷雾 质谱/质谱(LC-MS/MS)技术对加热淀粉类食品中的丙烯酰胺进行了测定。利用Oasis HLB固相萃取柱对样品进行净化。方 法的线性范围为10～500 μg/L,线性相关系数为0.9995。方法的定性检出限为6 μg/kg,定量检出限为20 μg/kg。高 、中、低3个浓度水平的加标回收率为96.8%~97.4%,相对标准偏差小于10%。     

Determination of methylbenzoquate in premixes and animal feeds using liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

A rapid analytical procedure was developed and tested for routine identification and quantification of methylbenzoquate in feeds by liquid chromatography (LC). The ground feed samples were extracted using methanol-water (80 + 20, v/v) at 65 degrees-70 degrees C in a water bath for premixes and in dichloromethane at 45 degrees C in a water bath for final feeds, respectively. The extract of final feeds was cleaned using solid-phase extraction on silica columns. Both the final feed and premix extracts were analyzed by reversed-phase LC on a NovaPak C18 column (3.9 x 150 mm; 4 microm) with methanol-acetonitrile-water-phosphoric acid (340 + 350 + 308 + 2, v/v) as mobile phase. Fluorescence detection was performed at excitation and emission wavelengths of 265 and 390 nm, respectively. Alternatively, post-column addition of sulfuric acid solution was used to decrease the determination limit. The recovery of methylbenzoquate, in a concentration range of 0.5-10 mg/kg, was 105.0 +/- 7.3%. The limit of quantitation, based on a signal-to-noise ratio of 10:1, was 48 microg/kg. The developed LC method was tested in an interlaboratory study. The interlaboratory repeatibility for both samples ranged from 7.1 to 10.6%; the interlaboratory reproducibility ranged from 11.7 to 15.2%. With the post-column addition of sulfuric acid, the limit of quantification was decreased by a factor of 50. Overall, the developed method is highly selective and can be used in routine analysis.     

A simple and rapid spectrophotometric determination of thallium(III) with trifluoperazine hydrochloride.

A simple, sensitive and rapid spectrophotometric method was developed for the determination of thallium(III) using trifluoperazine hydrochloride (TFPH). The method is based on the oxidation of TFPH by thallium(III) in a phosphoric acid medium to form a red-colored radical cation with an absorption maximum at 505 nm. Beer's law is valid over the concentration range of 0.5 - 6.5 microg ml(-1) of thallium(III). The molar absorptivity and Sandell's sensitivity of the color system are 2.14 x 10(4) l mol(-1) cm(-1) and 0.0095 microg cm(-2), respectively. The optimum reaction conditions and other analytical parameters were evaluated. The tolerance limit of the method towards various ions usually associated with thallium has been studied. The proposed method has been successfully applied to the analysis of thallium in alloys, minerals, standard reference material, water, and urine samples.     

Determination of sulfathiazole in type C medicated swine feed by reversed-phase liquid chromatography with post-column derivatization

A convenient method was developed for determination of sulfathiazole (STZ) in Type C medicated swine feed by reversed-phase liquid chromatography (LC) with post-column derivatization. Addition of extractant solution (0.2N HCl and 1.5% diethylamine in 25% methanol) and an internal standard (IS), sulfamethylthiazole (SMZ), to 5 g sample was followed by mechanical shaking for 1 h. The extract was clarified by chilling, centrifugation, and filtering before injection onto a C18 reversed-phase column. The mobile phase components were 2% acetic acid and 1:1 acetonitrile-methanol (83 + 17%, v/v). Run time was about 20 min. Determination and, largely, the method's selectivity were based on detection at 450 nm of the derivative formed by the post-column reaction of dimethylaminobenzaldehyde with the primary amine of the analyte and IS. The IS, SMZ, differs from STZ by a single substituent methyl group, is stable, and is readily resolved from STZ. Although SMZ is not commercially available, it can be synthesized with relative ease from purchased reagents and will be supplied by the authors to interested laboratories. In single-laboratory validation, linearity was demonstrated over the range of 0.055-550 microg/mL, well beyond the target concentration of 5.5 microg/mL. The estimated limit of detection was 0.04 microg/mL; the calculated limit of quantitation was 0.13 microg/mL (feed concentration of 2.4 g/T or 2.7 mg/kg). Wet-spiking trials with a variety of swine feed matrixes showed recovery to be 100-102% for the intended concentration range, 50-200 g/T, with coefficient of variation (CV) < 2%. The method ruggedness was verified with an overall CV of 2.9%.     

Determination of cadmium by flow injection-chemical vapor generation-atomic absorption spectrometry

A method was developed for the generation of a "cold vapor" of cadmium by means of flow injection-chemical vapor generation from aqueous samples, the determination being conducted with an atomic absorption spectrometer (Pyrex glass T-cell). Several gas-liquid separator designs, atomizer designs, and the effect of several reagents previously reported as sensitivity enhancers (including cobalt, nickel, thiourea and didodecyl-dimethylammonium bromide) were investigated. The limit of detection, calculated as the concentration giving a signal equal to three times the standard deviation of the blank, was 16 ng L(-1), and the relative standard deviation was 1.4% for a concentration of 2 microg L(-1) and 3.8% for 0.1 microg L(-1). The addition of nickel and thiourea to the samples provided improved tolerance to the interference of coexisting ions. Two NIST certified reference materials, Montana Soil and Apple Leaves (respectively containing 41.7+/-0.25 mg kg(-1) Cd and 0.013+/-0.002 mg kg(-1) Cd) were accurately analyzed. The interference of lead was overcome by coprecipitation with barium sulfate, and the experimental values obtained were 41+/-1 mg kg(-1) Cd and 0.013+/-0.002 mg kg(-1) Cd, respectively.     

Determination of gestagens in kidney fat by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

The use of gestagens in animal fattening is prohibited within the European Union. Recently, the use of spectrometric methods for the detection and confirmation of banned substances was made obligatory. Therefore, conventional high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) methods have been superseded. It has been possible to couple a previously described HPLC method for the determination of acetyl-gestagens in kidney fat to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The decision limits CCalpha and the detection capability CCbeta are found to be below the minimum required performance limit (MRPL) established for medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) at 1 microg kg(-1). The calculated values for CCalpha are as follows: megestrol acetate (MGA)--0.15 microg kg(-1), melengesterol acetate (MLA)--0.15 microg kg(-1), chlormadinone acetate (CMA)--0.37 microg kg(-1) and for medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA)--0.24 microg kg(-1). The CCbeta values for these compounds have been determined as 0.19, 0.19, 0.47 and 0.32 microg kg(-1), respectively.