Multi-class, multi-residue liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry screening and confirmation methods for drug residues in milk

This paper describes the development and optimization of a multi-residue veterinary drug screening method for whole milk. The drug residues of regulatory interest in milk include beta-lactams, sulfonamides, tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, and macrolides. Milk samples were extracted with acetonitrile and the samples were then subjected to a clean-up procedure using a bonded solid-phase extraction cartridge and a molecular weight cut-off filter. Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) triple quadrupole electrospray methods were developed to monitor for the drugs in milk. Since established tolerance levels are set for most of these drugs in milk, the initial screening procedure was semi-quantitative, where samples were compared to the response of a positive control. The positive control, consisting of an extract from a portion of milk fortified with the drugs at half their allowed levels, was used to set the laboratory's minimum response criteria for unknown samples. Confirmatory analyses, with additional ion transitions for each residue, were performed on the same extracts.     

Development of a liquid chromatography/electrospray tandem mass spectrometry method for confirmation of chloramphenicol residues in milk after alfa-1-acid glycoprotein affinity chromatography

In this work we present a method for confirmatory analysis of chloramphenicol (CAP) in bovine and buffalo raw milk. CAP is extracted in acetonitrile and purified by affinity chromatography on an alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AAG) column, then is identified and determined by ion-trap liquid chromatography/electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS) analysis in the negative ion mode. CAP was identified at the minimum required performance limit (MRPL) of 0.30 ppb, by monitoring the [M-H]- ion and at least two product ions, meeting the qualitative and quantitative criteria set by the European Commission in Decision 2002/657/EC for confirmation of prohibited veterinary drugs. The trueness and within-day and between-day repeatability data are also reported. Moreover, the loading capacity of affinity columns towards CAP was tested. This method, based on the molecular recognition between drug and AAG during the purification step to improve sample cleanup, represents a quantitative and repeatable procedure for confirmatory analysis, and fits the requirements for the routine official control of CAP residues in raw milk.     

Analyses of macrolide antibiotic residues in eggs, raw milk, and honey using both ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

Two liquid chromatography mass spectrometric techniques, i.e. ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/Q-Tof MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS), were used for quantification, confirmation or identification of six macrolide antibiotic residues and/or their degradation products in eggs, raw milk, and/or honey. Macrolides were extracted from food samples by acetonitrile or phosphate buffer (0.1 M, pH 8.0), and sample extracts were further cleaned up using solid-phase extraction cartridges. UPLC/Q-Tof data were acquired in Tof MS full scan mode that allowed both quantification and confirmation of macrolides, and identification of their degradation products. LC/MS/MS data acquisition was achieved using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM), i.e. two transitions, to provide a high degree of sensitivity and repeatability. Matrix-matched standard calibration curves with the use of roxithromycin as an internal standard were utilized to achieve the best accuracy of the method. Both techniques demonstrated good quantitative performance in terms of accuracy and repeatability. LC/MS/MS had advantages over UPLC/Q-Tof MS in that its limits of detection were lower and repeatability was somewhat better. UPLC/Q-Tof provided ultimate and unequivocal confirmation of positive findings, and allowed degradation product identification based on accurate mass. The combination of the two techniques can be very beneficial or complementary in routine analysis of macrolide antibiotic residues and their degradation products in food matrices to ensure the safety of food supply.     

High-throughput quantification for a drug mixture in rat plasma-a comparison of Ultra Performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry with high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A quantitative Ultra Performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (UPL/MS/MS) protocol was developed for a five-compound mixture in rat plasma. A similar high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS/MS) quantification protocol was developed for comparison purposes. Among the five test compounds, three preferred positive electrospray ionization (ESI) and two preferred negative ESI. As a result, both UPLC/MS/MS and HPLC/MS/MS analyses were performed by having the mass spectrometer collecting ESI multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) data in both positive and negative ion modes during a single injection. Peak widths for most standards were 4.8 s for the HPLC analysis and 2.4 s for the UPLC analysis. There were 17 to 20 data points obtained for each of the LC peaks. Compared with the HPLC/MS/MS method, the UPLC/MS/MS method offered 3-fold decrease in retention time, up to 10-fold increase in detected peak height, with 2-fold decrease in peak width. Limits of quantification (LOQs) for both HPLC and UPLC methods were evaluated. For UPLC/MS/MS analysis, a linear range up to four orders of magnitude was obtained with r2 values ranging from 0.991 to 0.998. The LOQs for the five analytes ranged from 0.08 to 9.85 ng/mL. Three levels of quality control (QC) samples were analyzed. For the UPLC/MS/MS protocol, the percent relative standard deviation (RSD%) for low QC (2 ng/mL) ranged from 3.42 to 8.67% (N = 18). The carryover of the UPLC/MS/MS protocol was negligible and the robustness of the UPLC/MS/MS system was evaluated with up to 963 QC injections.     

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.     

High-throughput screening for multi-class veterinary drug residues in animal muscle using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry with on-line solid-phase extraction

A rapid qualitative method using on-line column-switching liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) was developed and validated for screening 13 target veterinary drugs: four macrolides - erythromycin A, josamycin (leucomycin A3), kitasamycin (leucomycin A5), and tylosin A; six (fluoro)quinolones - ciprofloxacin, danofloxacin, enrofloxacin, flumequine, oxolinic acid, and sarafloxacin; and lincomycin, virginiamycin M1, and trimethoprim in different animal muscles. Clindamycin, norfloxacin, nalidixic acid, oleandomycin, ormetoprim, and roxithromycin were used as the internal standards. After simple deproteination and analyte extraction of muscle samples using acetonitrile, the supernatant was subjected to on-line cleanup and direct analysis by LC/MS/MS. On-line cleanup with an extraction cartridge packed with hydrophilic-hydrophobic polymer sorbent followed by fast LC using a short C18 column resulted in a total analysis cycle of 6 min for 19 drugs. This screening method considerably reduced the time and the cost for the quantitative and confirmatory analyses. The application of a control point approach was also introduced and explained.     

Determination and confirmation of tulathromycin residues in bovine liver and porcine kidney via their common hydrolytic fragment using high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

An accurate, reliable, and reproducible analytical method using HPLC/MS/MS for the determination of tulathromycin residues in bovine liver and porcine kidney via their common hydrolytic fragment (CP-60,300) was developed and validated. Briefly, the method involved an initial acid treatment of intact tissues, which yielded the common fragment (CP-60,300). A portion of the acid hydrolyzate was purified by SPE using a strong cation exchange cartridge. Evaporation of the purified extract was followed by reconstitution in aqueous buffer and analysis by HPLC/MS/MS under isocratic conditions. The developed method provided acceptable sensitivity for determinative surveillance of tulathromycin in porcine kidney and bovine liver with an LOQ of 7.50 and 2.75 microg/g, respectively. The overall recovery and precision of 45 determinations of each tissue were 97.8% (5.3%) for porcine kidney and 96.9% (7.9%) for bovine liver. Accuracy, precision, linearity, specificity, and ruggedness were demonstrated. An HPLC/MS/MS method was also developed for use in these tissues as a confirmatory assay following modifications to the MS detection parameters. The confirmatory method demonstrated acceptable sensitivity for confirmatory evaluation of tulathromycin in porcine kidney and bovine liver at tolerances of 15 and 5.5 microg/g, respectively.     

Quantitation and validation of fluoroquinolones in eggs using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

Fluoroquinolone antibiotics are labeled for very limited veterinary use for treatment of some animals and pets, but they are not authorized for food animals in Canada, including egg-producing birds. Because they are approved for other animals, however, fluoroquinolones may appear in eggs through off-labeling or accidental use. This method is capable of quantitating and confirming the presence of 4 fluoroquinolones, ciprofloxacin, danofloxacin, enrofloxacin, and sarafloxacin, over the concentration range 1 to 60 microg/kg (ppb) using 2 internal standards, norfloxacin or lomefloxacin. The compounds are extracted with acidic acetonitrile, isolated using Oasis HLB solid-phase extraction, and quantitated by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry at 2 transitions. The limits of detection (microg/kg) were evaluated from between-day experiments as: ciprofloxacin, 0.22; danofloxacin (m/z 314), 0.32; enrofloxacin, 0.22; and sarafloxacin, 0.31. The values for the decision limit, CCalpha were 0.33, 0.36, 0.30, and 0.45 microg/kg, respectively.     

Determination of triforine using high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

A method for determination of triforine using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry was developed. A simple ethyl acetate extraction with solvent exchange into water/methanol was used for sample preparation. The method was validated at 0.01 and 0.05 mg kg(-1) levels in apple, tomato and tinned blackcurrants. Recoveries were in the range 56.6-99.8% and no matrix suppression or enhancement effects were observed.     

Development and validation of a liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of nitroimidazole residues in beeswax

In this study, a new method for the determination of 12 nitroimidazoles and their hydroxymetabolites (metronidazole, hydroxymetronidazole, dimetridazole, ronidazole, hydroxydimetridazole, ipronidazole, hydroxyipronidazole, carnidazole, ornidazole, secnidazole, ternidazole, tinidazole) in beeswax has been developed and validated. The optimized sample preparation procedure included melting and dilution of beeswax in a mixture of n‐hexane and isopropanol followed by extraction with 2% acetic acid. The extracts were purified on strong cation exchange based solid‐phase extraction cartridges and evaporated in a vacuum system with vortex motion. The separation and detection of the nitroimidazoles in the beeswax extracts were achieved within 12 min by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry using a pentafluorophenyl analytical column and applying a gradient elution with acetonitrile and 0.01% acetic acid as mobile phases. The method performance characteristics were evaluated at three concentration levels (1, 2, and 5 μg/kg) and the method was found to be suitable for determination of all tested nitroimidazoles. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.2–0.5 and 0.5–1 μg/kg, respectively. The recoveries varied from 71.2 to 104.9% while the relative standard deviations were less than 13.8% under the intermediate precision conditions.     

Signal suppression/enhancement in high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

The review discusses the pitfalls of the matrix effect in mass spectrometry detection hyphenated to liquid chromatography separation. Matrix effect heavily influences both qualitative and quantitative analyses, giving rise to suppression or enhancement of the signal. As generally recognised, the predominant cause is the presence of undesired components that co-elute in the chromatographic separation and alter the ionisation process. The interfering species can be components of the sample, compounds released during the pre-treatment/extraction process or reagents added to the mobile phase to improve chromatographic resolution. The different mechanisms proposed in literature to explain the suppression or the enhancement of the signal both in electrospray and atmospheric pressure chemical ionisations are presented and the results observed in the different experimental conditions are compared and discussed. All data together lead to conclude that the chemical properties of the target analyte, the kind of matrix, the matrix to analyte concentration ratio, the extraction process, the chromatographic conditions as well as the kind of the mass spectrometry instrumentation and the ionisation conditions can play a role. Likely all these potential causes act in a synergic way and the final effect observed is hardly due to only one of them. Depending on an unpredictable combination of conditions, signal suppression or enhancement can be observed. The review discusses the matrix effects observed in HPLC–MS and HPLC–MS/MS analysis proposes hypotheses to explain the observed behaviours and proposes methods and strategies to overcome the matrix effects.     

A multi-residue screening method for the determination of 73 pesticides and metabolites in fruit and vegetables using high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A multi-residue screening method was developed for the simultaneous analysis of 73 pesticides and their metabolites using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. These pesticides were determined under a single set of experimental conditions involving a simple acetonitrile extraction without the requirement for a clean-up step. Validation was achieved at 0.01 and 0.1 mg kg(-1) levels in apple, lettuce and orange. Recoveries were in the range 77-124% for the majority of pesticides.     

Identification of phytoestrogens in bovine milk using liquid chromatography/electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

In an international context of promoting scientific research on food safety, the interest in molecules having potential hormonal disrupting effects is growing. While industrial endocrine disruptors (phthalates, alkylphenols, PCBs, etc.) have been studied for several years, natural compounds like phytoestrogens remain less investigated. Accordingly, a research project was initiated with its main objectives to develop efficient analytical methods for a wide range of phytoestrogens in various food matrices, and to evaluate their occurrence in food products. Electrospray ionization with tandem mass spectrometric (MS/MS) analysis of isoflavones (genistein, daidzein, equol, formononetin, biochanin A), lignans (enterolactone, enterodiol), and coumestans (coumestrol) was investigated. This study revealed the formation of a large number of fragment ions in both positive and negative modes, corresponding to specific cleavages of the hydroxyl, carbonyl, and/or methoxy groups, and to Retro-Diels-Alder reactions. An LC/ESI-MS/MS method was developed consistent with the 2002/657/EC European decision criteria. An extraction and clean-up method was developed for milk samples. The identification limit for the proposed method appears to be under 1 ng/mL. The developed methodology was applied to various milk samples, and the occurrence of isoflavones (particularly equol) was demonstrated in the concentration range 1-30 ng/mL. The efficiency of the proposed analytical method permitted evaluation of a new and promising approach to a global risk assessment of natural estrogenic active substances including phytoestrogens and their metabolites.     

Broad-spectrum drug screening of meconium by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry and time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Analysis of the major drugs of abuse in meconium has been established in clinical practice for detecting fetal exposure to illicit drugs, particularly for the ready availability of the sample and ease of collection from diapers, compared with neonatal hair and urine. Very little is known about the occurrence and detection possibilities of therapeutic and licit drugs in meconium. Meconium specimens (n = 209) were collected in delivery hospitals, from infants of mothers who were suspected to be drug abusers. A targeted analysis method by liquid chromatography–triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was developed for abused drugs: amphetamine, methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, morphine, codeine, 6-monoacetylmorphine, oxycodone, methadone, tramadol, buprenorphine, and norbuprenorphine. A separate LC-MS/MS method was developed for 11-nor-∆⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid. A screening method based on LC coupled to time-of-flight MS was applied to a broad spectrum of drugs. As a result, a total of 77 different compounds were found. The main drug findings in meconium were as follows: local anesthetics 82.5% (n = 172), nicotine or its metabolites 61.5% (n = 129), opioids 48.5% (n = 101), stimulants 21.0% (n = 44), hypnotics and sedatives 19.0% (n = 40), antidepressants 18.0% (n = 38), antipsychotics 5.5% (n = 11), and cannabis 3.0% (n = 5). By revealing drugs and metabolites beyond the ordinary scope, the present procedure helps the pediatrician in cases where maternal denial is strong but the infant seems to suffer from typical drug-withdrawal symptoms. Intrapartum drug administration cannot be differentiated from gestational drug use by meconium analysis, which affects the interpretation of oxycodone, tramadol, fentanyl, pethidine, and ephedrine findings.     

Investigations on the degradation of aspartame using high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

Aspartame is a widely used sweetener,the long-term safety of which has been controversial ever since it was accepted for human consumption.It is unstable and can produce some harmful degradation products under certain storage conditions.A high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for the simultaneous analysis of aspartame and its four degradation products,including aspartic acid,phenylalanine,aspartyl-phenylalanine and 5-benzyl-3,6-dioxo-2-piperazieacetic acid in water and in diet soft drinks.Aspartame and its four degradation products were quantified by a matrix matched external standard calibration curve with excellent correlation coefficients.The limits of detection were 0.16–5.8 mg/L,which exhibited higher sensitivity than common methods.This method was rapid,sensitive,specific and capable of eliminating matrix interferences.It was also applied to the study of the degradation of aspartame at various pH and temperatures.The results indicated that aspartame was partly degraded under strong acidic or basic conditions and the extent of degradation increased with increasing temperature.     

Development and validation of a liquid chromatography method with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of brotizolam residues in beef and commercial whole milk

In this work, a liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometric detection technique was developed and validated for the determination of brotizolam residues in beef muscle and commercial whole milk. This procedure involves the extraction of the analyte from the samples via liquid–solid extraction, and caffeine was used as an internal standard. The analyte was successfully separated on an XTerra‐C₁₈ column, with a mobile phase composed of 0.01% formic acid in acetonitrile and 1 mm ammonium formate–0.01% formic acid in water. The one‐step extraction method evidenced good selectivity, precision (RSD = 9.87–26.47%), and the recovery of the extractable analyte was 92.61–115.98% in the matrices. The limits of quantification ranged between 0.4 and 0.5 µg/kg. The developed method is simple since it requires no additional cleanup procedures. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A high-throughput liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method for screening glutathione conjugates using exact mass neutral loss acquisition

Chemically reactive metabolites may cause hepatotoxicity and as a result liver failure or other adverse side reactions. Therefore, this is a vital topic of interest because early reactive metabolite screening may prevent compound failure at a later stage. In order to address this issue, a screening assay has been developed to detect the formation of reactive metabolites by using glutathione as a trapping reagent, which will allow us to search for phase I metabolites and also glutathiones during in vitro metabolite screening using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) with exact mass. Glutathione conjugations when fragmented by the mass spectrometer give a common loss corresponding to the pyroglutamic acid moiety, which can be monitored. Until recently, this work has been carried out with triple quadrupole technology using nominal mass. The advantage of the hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer is the selectivity and sensitivity that can be achieved. Exact neutral loss detection is achieved via sequential low- and high-energy MS acquisitions. After detection of the loss of the pyroglutamic acid moiety, using a window of +/-20 mDa on the high-energy scan, MS/MS is carried out on the parent mass of interest to confirm the common neutral loss.     

Validation of a screening method for corticosteroids in doping analysis by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A selective and sensitive method for the screening of nine corticosteroids in human urine has been validated. Analyses were performed using an ion trap instrument equipped with an electrospray ionisation (ESI) interface. All corticosteroids were separated in less than 20 min after liquid/liquid extraction with diethyl ether. The limit of detection for all substances was 4 ng/mL or lower. The method was applied to detect betamethasone after the intramuscular injection of Diprophos. Betamethasone could be detected for up to 12 days after administration. Validation of the chromatographic separation and mass spectrometric identification of mixtures of betamethasone and dexamethasone are also presented.     

Quantitative liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry determination of chloramphenicol residues in food using sub-2 microm particulate high-performance liquid chromatography columns for sensitivity and speed

The use of chloramphenicol (CAP)--a highly effective broad-spectrum antibiotic used in animal husbandry--is banned in many countries. Therefore, a very low minimum required performance limit (MRPL) of 0.3 microg/kg CAP in meat for human consumption has been defined. Analytical methods capable of quantifying and confirming such low residue levels require sophisticated instrumentation. Preferably sensitive liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) or gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) methods have been used. This paper suggests the use of sub-2 microm particulate high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) columns to gain additional sensitivity and improve resolution as well as speed. Depending on the operating conditions, higher chromatographic resolution and speed can be obtained at the price of a significantly increased operating pressure, requiring dedicated LC equipment. A 3-4-fold overall improvement of the signal-to-noise ratio for CAP was obtained compared to more classical 5 microm particulate HPLC columns. The proposed analytical methodology includes an enzymatic digestion, which liberates glucuronide-bound CAP from kidney tissue. The extracts obtained after an Extrelut clean-up are sufficiently pure to permit routine injection of biological samples into the sub-2 microm particulate HPLC column, without observing rapid deterioration of peak shape or column clogging problems. The time for one chromatographic run was 4.2 min. The described method was validated for two particularly difficult matrices (kidney and honey). Decision limits (CC alpha) were 0.007 microg/kg (honey) und 0.011 microg/kg (kidney), which are significantly below the current MRPL.     

高效液相色谱串联质谱法测定牛奶中林可酰胺类和大环内酯类抗生素残留量的研究

建立了牛奶样品中洁霉素、氯洁霉素、红霉素、螺旋霉素、交沙霉素、泰乐菌素、竹桃霉素等7种林可酰胺类及大环内酯类药物残留量的确证方法。用乙腈萃取样品中7种林可酰胺类及大环内酯类抗生素,然后用正己烷脱脂,旋转蒸发仪浓缩,以Luna C18(2)色谱柱分离,在正离子模式下以电喷雾电离串联质谱仪进行测定。在20、50、200μg/kg 3个浓度水平进行验证试验,方法的线性范围为20~200μg/kg,总体平均回收率为74.5%~97.5%,相对标准偏差为2.7%~11.3%。该方法各项技术指标满足国内外法规的要求,可用于牛奶样品中林可酰胺类及大环内酯类抗生素残留量的确证检测。