Development of a high-performance liquid chromatography method for the simultaneous quantification of quinoxaline-2-carboxylic acid and methyl-3-quinoxaline-2-carboxylic acid in animal tissues

A method of high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection has been established for simultaneous quantitative determination of quinoxaline-2-carboxylic acid (QCA) and methyl-3-quinoxaline-2-carboxylic acid (MQCA), the marker residues for carbadox (CBX) and olaquindox (OLA), respectively, in the muscles and livers of porcine and chicken and in the muscle of fish. Tissue samples were subject to acid hydrolysis followed by liquid-liquid extraction and Oasis MAX solid-phase extraction clean-up. The method was validated according to the EU Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. The decision limits (CCalpha) were 0.7-2.6microg/kg and the detection capabilities (CCbeta) were 1.3-5.6microg/kg for QCA and MQCA in tissues. The recoveries of QCA and MQCA, spiked at levels of 2-100microg/kg, were from 70 to 110%; the relative standard deviation values were <20%. This simple, fast and economic method could be applied to the monitoring for the possible misuse of CBX and OLA in animal edible tissue samples.     

Determination of nitroimidazoles and their metabolites in swine tissues by liquid chromatography

A liquid chromatographic method was developed for determination of metronidazole (MNZ), ronidazole (RNZ), dimetridazole (DMZ), and 2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-5-nitroimidazole (DMZOH) in swine tissue. After extraction with ethyl acetate and evaporation, the nitroimidazoles were redissolved in hydrochloric acid. Hexane was used in the liquid-liquid extraction to remove fat. An Oasis HLB solid-phase extraction was performed after neutralization of the acidic extract. The limits of detection were 1.0-2.0 microg/kg for DMZOH, MNZ, RNZ, and DMZ in muscle and liver. Average recoveries ranged from 80.1 to 83.9% in muscle fortified at 10, 20, and 50 microg/kg; average recoveries in liver ranged from 78.9 to 82.3%. The procedure provides a simple and sensitive method for monitoring DMZOH, MNZ, RNZ, and DMZ residues in swine tissues.     

Validation of a high-performance liquid chromatography method for the determination of oxytetracycline,tetracycline, chlortetracycline and doxycycline in bovine milk and muscle

High-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD) was optimised and validated for the determination of tetracyclines in bovine milk and tissues. Milk and tissue samples were extracted and purified using a solid-phase extraction HLB Oasis cartridge and analysed using HPLC-DAD set at 365 nm. The analyses were carried out using the mobile phase of 0.01 M oxalic acid-acetonitrile-methanol (60:25:15, v/v/v) on a C8 column (250 x 4.6 mm I.D., 5 microm). Recoveries of tetracyclines from spiked samples at the three concentrations (0.5, 1 and 1.5) of the maximum residues limits (corresponding to 100 microg/kg for milk and the muscle) were higher than 81.1% in milk and 83.2% in muscle. The method was successfully validated for bovine milk and muscle in compliance with requirements set by draft SANCO/ 1805/ 2000 European Decision. The decision limit (CCalpha) was in the range 113.2-127.2 microg/kg and 107.7-129.9 micro/kg for all compounds in milk and muscle, respectively. The detection capability (CCbeta) was in the range 117.2-131.3 microg/kg and 114.9-133.1 microg/kg for all compounds in milk and muscle, respectively.     

Determination of acetyl gestagenic steroids in kidney fat by automated supercritical fluid extraction and liquid chromatography ion-trap mass spectrometry

Acetyl gestagenic steroids are isolated from animal tissues such as bovine kidney fat by automated supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). After the addition of internal standards and sample pretreatment, the analytes are extracted from the matrix by supercritical CO2 and trapped directly in-line on alumina placed in the extraction vessel. The samples are analysed by liquid chromatography combined with ion-trap mass selective detection (LC-MSn). For quantification, deuterated internal standards are added and single ions of the analytes and internal standards are monitored. For confirmation of the identity of the analytes, two transition ions (one MS2 and one MS3) were monitored and the ratios between the ions were calculated and compared with those of standards. The detection capability for the multi-analyte LC-MSn analysis of megestrol acetate (MA), medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), chlormadinone acetate (CMA) and melengestrol acetate (MGA) is 0.5 microg kg(-1). The mean within-laboratory reproducibility ranges from 16-19% (%RSD) at a concentration level of 0.5 microg kg(-1) (n = 9). Running the SFE procedure overnight allows the analysis of 24 samples of fat per day.     

Quantitation of nine quinolones in chicken tissues by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

A simple reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed and validated for simultaneous analysis of nine quinolones (ciprofloxacin, danofloxacin, difloxacin, enrofloxacin, flumequine, marbofloxacin, nalidixic acid, oxolinic acid, sarafloxacin) in chicken tissue. The analytes were extracted from homogenized muscle using an acetonitrile basic solution. After centrifugation and partial evaporation, direct injection was possible. Three different HPLC conditions were applied to quantify the residual quinolones. Separation was achieved on a PLRP-S column and detection was performed with a monochromator fluorescence detector. The recovery, the limit of detection, the limit of quantification, the accuracy and the precision of the method were evaluated from spiked tissue samples at concentration levels ranging from 15 microg kg(-1) to 300 microg kg(-1) according to the maximum residue limit of each quinolone. This method is also suitable for porcine, bovine, ovine and fish muscle tissue.     

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.     

Determination of four nitroimidazoles in poultry and swine muscle and eggs by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A rapid method is presented for the determination of 4 nitroimidazoles in poultry and swine muscle and eggs by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS). Samples were extracted with acetonitrile, then evaporated the organic phase. After filtration, the extract was directly injected into the LC/ESI-MS/MS system. The LC separation was made on a C8 column by applying a gradient composed of water and acetonitrile. Overall average recoveries ranged from 50-86% for egg, 66-115% for poultry muscle, and 79-111% for swine muscle. The decision limits ranged from 0.05-0.25 microg/kg for egg, 0.07-0.27 microg/kg for poultry muscle, and 0.07-0.26 microg/kg for swine muscle; and detection capabilities ranged from 0.51-0.68 microg/kg for egg, 0.41-0.75 microg/kg for poultry muscle, and 0.53-0.78 microg/kg for swine muscle.     

Multiresidue method for simultaneous determination of ten quinolone antibacterial residues in multimatrix/multispecies animal tissues by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection: single laboratory validation study

Quinolone antibacterials are veterinary drugs authorized for use in food animal production. The analysis of residual amounts of drugs in food from animal origin is important for quality control of products for consumers. For this purpose, Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) have been set up by a European Union Council Regulation on Veterinary Drug Residues (No. 90/2377/EEC and subsequent), and 8 quinolones received MRLs at concentration levels depending on both the matrix and the animal species of interest. A method was developed for screening and confirming 10 quinolone residues (ciprofloxacin, danofloxacin, difloxacin, enrofloxacin, flumequine, marbofloxacin, nalidixic acid, norfloxacin, oxolinic acid, sarafloxacin) in a wide variety of matrixes of different animal species. It involves extraction of the residues from the biological tissues/fluids by acidic aqueous solution, centrifugation and filtration prior to injection on a C18 narrow-bore column, and detection through a 3-step-mode fluorescence detector. The method was validated during a 2-week study for a set of 8 species-matrixes (i.e., bovine raw milk, bovine muscle, porcine muscle, porcine kidney, porcine liver, fish flesh and skin, poultry muscle, whole egg). Residues were quantified down to 15 microg/kg with limits of detection and quantitation ranging from 4 to 11 and 13 to 36 microg/kg, respectively, which are sufficient compared to the wide range of MRLs set for these substances (from 30 microg/kg for danofloxacin in milk to 1900 microg/kg for difloxacin in poultry liver). The limit of performance of the method in terms of CCalpha and CCbeta, the critical concentrations stated in the Decision No. 2002/657/EC and the ISO Standard No. 11843, has been calculated for the authorized (MRL) substances but only estimated in the case of the nonauthorized (non-MRL) substances.     

Determination of nifursol metabolites in poultry muscle and liver tissue. Development and validation of a confirmatory method

A method is described for the identification and quantitative determination of 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid hydrazide (DSH), the marker residue of nifursol metabolites in poultry (turkey, broiler) muscle and liver tissue. The method is based on the acid-catalysed hydrolysis of tissue-bound metabolites to free DSH and in situ derivatisation with 2-nitrobenzaldehyde to the corresponding nitrophenyl derivative NPDSH. A structural analogue of DSH, 4-hydroxy-3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid hydrazide (HBH) was synthesised to serve as an internal standard. The analytes were isolated from the matrix by liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate. Determination was performed by LC-MS/MS with negative electrospray ionisation. The [M - H](+) ions of NPDSH and NPHBH at m/z 374 were fragmented by collision induced dissociation (CID) producing transition ions at m/z 182, 183 and 226. The transition ions at m/z 182 and 226 were selected for monitoring of NPDSH while the transition ion at m/z 183 was selected for NPHBH. The method has been validated according to the EU criteria of Commission Decision 2002/657/EC at 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 microg kg(-1) in muscle and liver tissue. A decision limit (CC(alpha)) was obtained of 0.04 and 0.025 microg kg(-1) in muscle and liver, respectively. Similarly a detection capability (CC(beta)) was obtained of 0.10 and 0.05 microg kg(-1) in muscle and liver, respectively. The introduction of HBH as an internal standard did not lead to a significant improvement of the quantitative performance of the method. In fact for liver better performance characteristics were obtained when the IS was not taken into account. Nevertheless, as a qualitative marker for recovery, HBH could still be very useful in the analysis of unknown samples.     

Determination of beta-agonists in liver and retina by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method for the determination of bromobuterol, cimaterol, clenbuterol, clenpenterol, hydroxymethylclenbuterol, isoxsuprine, mabuterol, ractopamine, ritrodrine, salbutamol, terbutaline, and tulobuterol residues in bovine liver and retina is reported. This procedure uses enzymatic digestion, liquid-liquid extraction, and cleanup on Oasis HLB solid-phase extraction cartridges, followed by determination of the residues by LC-tandem quadrupole MS using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization in the positive ion mode. Overall average recoveries ranged from 23 to 76% for liver and 34 to 77% for retina. The mean values for samples fortified at levels between 0.5-2.0 microg/kg (liver) and 5-20 microg/kg (retina) agreed within 98-118% of the spiked levels, with coefficients of variation ranging from 6 to 20%. The decision limits, CCalpha, ranged from 0.1 to 0.3 microg/kg for liver, 1-3 microg/kg for retina, and detection capabilities, CCbeta, from 0.2-0.5 microg/kg for liver and 2-5 microg/kg for retina.     

Confirmatory method for macrolide residues in bovine tissues by micro-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A new confirmatory method for three macrolides (tylosin, tilmicosin and erythromycin) in bovine muscle, liver and kidney by micro-LC-MS-MS using an atmospheric pressure ionisation source and an ionspray interface has been developed. Roxithromycin was used as internal standard. The molecular related ions, [M+2H]2+, at m/z 435 for tilmicosin, and [M+H]+, at m/z 734 and 916 for erythromycin and tylosin, respectively, were the precursor ions for collision-induced-dissociation and two diagnostic product ions for each macrolide were identified for the unambiguous confirmation by selected reaction monitoring LC-MS-MS. Precision values (relative standard deviations) were all below 14.9%, whereas the overall accuracy (relative error) ranged from -17.7 to -9.8% for tylosin, from -17.5 to -10.7% for tilmicosin and from -19.6 to -13.7% for erythromycin, in all the investigated bovine tissues. The limits of quantification were 30 (muscle) or 40 (liver, kidney) microg kg(-1), 20 (muscle) or 150 (liver, kidney) microg kg(-1), 50 (muscle, liver) or 80 (kidney) microg kg(-1), 20 (muscle, liver) or 50 (kidney) microg kg(-1) for tylosin, tilmicosin, erytromycin and roxithromycin, respectively.     

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.     

Development and validation of an HPLC confirmatory method for the determination of tetracycline antibiotics residues in bovine muscle according to the European Union regulation 2002/657/EC

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method with diode-array detection, at 351 nm, was developed and validated for the determination of five tetracyclines (TCs): minocycline, tetracycline, oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline, and doxycycline in bovine muscle. Samples were macerated with a buffer solution, centrifuged, and purified using Abselut Nexus SPE cartridges. The separation of the examined TCs was achieved on an Inertsil ODS-3 5 microm, 250 x 4 mm analytical column, at ambient temperature. A multistep gradient elution was followed using 0.05 M oxalic acid and CH3CN, at a flow rate of 1.65 mL/min. The procedure was validated according to the European Union regulation 2002/657/EC determining selectivity, stability, decision limit, detection capability, accuracy, and precision. The results of the validation process demonstrate that the method can be readily applied to European Union statutory veterinary drug residue surveillance programmes. Mean recoveries of TCs from bovine muscle samples spiked at three concentrations (100, 250, and 400 ng/g) were in the range of 98.7-103.3%. Method's LOQ values achieved were 40 microg/kg for MNC, CTC, and DC and 25 microg/kg for OTC and TC. The decision limits (CCalpha) were in the range of 104.7-109.8 microg/kg, while the detection capability (CCbeta) was in the range of 108.4-116.7 microg/kg for all compounds.     

Arsenic metabolism in seaweed-eating sheep from Northern Scotland

Cation exchange and anion exchange liquid chromatography were coupled to an ICP-MS and optimised for the separation of 13 different arsenic species in body fluids (arsenite, arsenate, dimethylarsinic acid (DMAA), monomethylarsonic acid (MMAA), trimethylarsine oxide (TMAO), tetramethylarsonium ion (TMA), arsenobetaine (AsB), arsenocholine (AsC), dimethylarsinoyl ethanol (DMAE) and four common dimethylarsinoylribosides (arsenosugars). The arsenic species were determined in seaweed extracts and in the urine and blood serum of seaweed-eating sheep from Northern Scotland. The sheep eat 2-4 kg of seaweed daily which is washed ashore on the most northern Island of Orkney. The urine, blood and wool of 20 North Ronaldsay sheep and kidney, liver and muscle from 11 sheep were sampled and analysed for their arsenic species. In addition five Dorset Finn sheep, which lived entirely on grass, were used as a control group. The sheep have a body burden of approximately 45-90 mg arsenic daily. Since the metabolism of arsenic species varies with the arsenite and arsenate being the most toxic, and organoarsenic compounds such as arsenobetaine the least toxic compounds, the determination of the arsenic species in the diet and their body fluids are important. The major arsenic species in their diet are arsenoribosides. The major metabolite excreted into urine and blood is DMAA (95 +/- 4.1%) with minor amounts of MMAA, riboside X, TMA and an unidentified species. The occurrence of MMAA is assumed to be a precursor of the exposure to inorganic arsenic, since demethylation of dimethylated or trimethylated organoarsenic compounds is not known (max. MMAA concentration 259 microg/L). The concentrations in the urine (3179 +/- 2667 microg/L) and blood (44 +/- 19 microg/kg) are at least two orders of magnitude higher than the level of arsenic in the urine of the control sheep or literature levels of blood for the unexposed sheep. The tissue samples (liver: 292 +/- 99 microg/kg, kidney: 565 +/- 193 microg/kg, muscle: 680 +/- 224 microg/kg) and wool samples (10470 +/- 5690 microg/kg) show elevated levels which are also 100 times higher than the levels for the unexposed sheep.     

Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry for the simultaneous determination of mequindox and its metabolites in porcine tissues

A rapid liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometric method was developed for the simultaneous determination of mequindox and its five metabolites (2-isoethanol mequindox, 2-isoethanol 1-desoxymequindox, 1-desoxymequindox, 1,4-bisdesoxymequindox, and 2-isoethanol bisdesoxymequindox) in porcine muscle, liver, and kidney, fulfilling confirmation criteria with two transitions for each compound with acceptable relative ion intensities. The method involved acid hydrolysis, purification by solid-phase extraction, and subsequent analysis with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry using electrospray ionization operated in positive polarity with a total run time of 15 min. The decision limit values of five analytes in porcine tissues ranged from 0.6 to 2.9 μg/kg, and the detection capability values ranged from 1.2 to 5.7 μg/kg. The results of the inter-day study, which was performed by fortifying porcine muscle (2, 4, and 8 μg/kg), liver, and kidney (10, 20, and 40 μg/kg) samples on three separate days, showed that the accuracy of the method for the various analytes ranged between 75.3 and 107.2% with relative standard deviation less than 12% for each analyte.     

Residues of oxytetracycline and its 4'-epimer in edible tissues from turkeys

Residues of oxytetracycline (OTC) in edible tissues (muscle, liver, and kidney) of 18 turkeys were determined after continuous administration of the drug for 3 days in drinking water at the maximum recommended concentration of 400 mg/L. The European Union (EU) maximum residue limits (MRLs) set for OTC are 100 microg/kg in muscle tissues, 300 microg/kg in liver, and 600 microg/kg in kidney, as the sum of the parent compound and its derivative 4'-epi-oxytetracycline (4-epi-OTC). Cleanup of tissue samples was performed by metal chelate affinity chromatography (MCAC), but the original technique was miniaturized by the adoption of a mini solid-phase extraction column, allowing reduction of solvents, time, and hazardous waste. OTC and its 4'-epimer were quantitated by an isocratic liquid chromatography elution with UV detection. After 1 day of withdrawal, OTC plus 4-epi-OTC residues were greater than MRL values in muscle and liver; 3 days after the end of treatment, all tissue residues were far lower than the MRL values. At the first day after the end of treatment, 4-epi-OTC was detected at very low concentrations only in muscle, in liver after 1 and 3 days of withdrawal, and in kidney at all sampling times. The withdrawal time was calculated according to EU recommendations and was set at 5 days.     

Determination of pyrimethamine in animal tissue and egg by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

A sensitive and selective liquid chromatographic (LC) assay was developed to determine the concentration of pyrimethamine in animal tissue and egg by fluorescent derivative. Animal samples were extracted with acetonitrile, centrifuged, and purified by hexane. Fluorescent derivatization was performed by reacting pyrimethamine with chloroacetaldehyde and subjected to LC with fluorescence detection (excitation wavelength 300 nm, emission wavelength 420 nm). The limit of detection was 10 ng/g (10 ppb) and the standard calibration curve was linear in the range of 1-100 ppb (0.01-1 ng/10 microL). Recoveries from samples fortified at levels of 0.1 and 1 ppm (microg/g) were 61.0-77.4 and 65.5-81.2%, respectively. The method was applied to the monitoring of marketed samples. Pyrimethamine was not determined in any of the 70 samples: 20 swine muscle; 20 chicken muscle; 10 chicken liver; and 20 egg.     

Development and validation of a method for the confirmation of nicarbazin in chicken liver and eggs using LC-electrospray MS-MS according to the revised EU criteria for veterinary drug residue analysis.

A method is described for the quantitative confirmation of 4,4'-dinitrocarbanilide (DNC), the marker residue for nicarbazin in chicken liver and eggs. The method is based on LC coupled to negative ion electrospray MS-MS of tissue extracts prepared by liquid-liquid extraction. The [M-H]- ion at m/z 301 is monitored along with two transition ions at m/z 137 and 107 for DNC and the [M-H]- ion at m/z 309 for the internal standard, d8-DNC. The method has been validated according to the new EU criteria for the analysis of veterinary drug residues at 100, 200 and 300 microg kg(-1) in liver and at 10, 30 and 100 microg kg(-1) in eggs. Difficulties concerning the application of the new analytical limits, namely the decision limit (CCalpha) and the detection capability (CCbeta) to the determination of DNC in both liver and eggs are discussed.     

Application of ion-exchange cartridge clean-up in food analysis. VI. Determination of six penicillins in bovine tissues by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

A multiresidue analytical method was developed for the quantification of benzylpenicillin (PCG), phenoxymethylpenicillin (PCV), oxacillin (MPIPC), cloxacillin (MCIPC), nafcillin (NFPC) and dicloxacillin (MDIPC) in bovine tissues using liquid chromatography- electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI MS/MS) with a multiple reaction monitoring technique. Using the deuterated PCG and NFPC as internal standard was effective for improvement of repeatability and accuracy. We chose [M-H-141]- as a monitor ion of MRM analysis and [M-H]- as a precursor ion for each penicillin. Combination of an ion-exchange cartridge clean-up and ion-pair LC enable us to determine the residual penicillins using the standard curves made from standard solutions without the influence of sample matrix on the MS. The average recoveries of PCG, PCV, MPIPC, MCIPC, NFPC and MDIPC from bovine liver, kidney and muscle at the same concentrations as the tolerance levels of PCG (50 microg/kg) ranged from 77 to 101% with the coefficients of variation ranging from 0.7 to 4.2% (n = 5). The limits of quantification for the six penicillins were 2-10 microg/kg in bovine muscle, liver and kidney (S/N ratio >10).     

Liquid chromatographic determination of deoxynivalenol in baby food and animal feed: interlaboratory study

An interlaboratory study was conducted for the determination of deoxynivalenol in baby food and animal feed by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. The study included 14 participants representing a cross section of industry, official food control, and research facilities. Mean recoveries reported ranged from 89% (at 120 microg/kg) to 85% (at 240 microg/kg) for baby food and from 100% (at 200 microg/kg) to 93% (at 400 microg/kg) for animal feed. On the basis of the results for spiked samples (blind duplicates at 2 levels), as well as those for naturally contaminated samples (blind duplicates at 3 levels), the relative standard deviation for repeatability (RSDr) in analyses of baby food ranged from 6.4 to 14.0% and in analyses of animal feed, from 6.1 to 16.5%. The relative standard deviation for reproducibility (RSDR) in analyses of baby food ranged from 9.4 to 19.5% and in analyses of animal feed, from 10.5 to 25.2%. The HorRat values ranged from 0.4 to 1.0 and from 0.7 to 1.3, for baby food and animal feed, respectively. The method showed acceptable performance for within-laboratory and between-laboratory precision for each matrix, as required by European legislation.