An overview of analytical methodologies for the determination of antibiotics in environmental waters

The widespread occurrence of antibiotics as contaminants in the aquatic environment has increased attention in the last years. The concern over the release of antibiotics into the environment is related primarily to the potential for the development of antimicrobial resistance among microorganisms. This article presents an overview of analytical methodologies for the determination of quinolone (Qs) and fluoroquinolone (FQs), macrolide (MLs), tetracycline (TCs), sulfonamide (SAs) antibiotics and trimethoprim (TMP) in different environmental waters. The analysis of these antibiotics has usually been carried out by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) or tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) and to a lesser extent by ultraviolet (UV) or fluorescence detection (FD). A very important step before LC analysis is sample preparation and extraction leading to elimination of interferences and prevention of matrix effect and preconcentration of target analytes.     

定性和定量分析磺胺氯吡嗪钠可溶性粉中的未知添加物

定性和定量分析了一批兽药磺胺氯吡嗪钠可溶性粉中的未知添加物。使用电位滴定法对该批磺胺氯吡嗪钠可溶性粉进行含量测定,发现滴定异常,根据标准进行的两项鉴别有一项不合格,因此怀疑添加了其他化合物。采用超高效液相色谱-四极杆-飞行时间质谱(UHPLC-Q/TOF MS)对该批样品进行筛查,发现疑似添加物,并使用高效液相色谱-二极管阵列检测(HPLC-DAD)法进行了双重确证和含量测定。该批样品中非法添加物为乙酰甲喹和磺胺二甲嘧啶,添加量分别为40.3和16.4 mg/g。通过总结该批样品非法添加物的发现、确证和含量测定的整个过程,得出一种较好的筛查未知物的模式,为兽药处方外非法添加筛查提供可借鉴的思路。     

Optimization and performance evaluation of a fluorescent sensor for residual sulfonamide antibiotics in honey samples

In the quest to address the mounting concerns over sulfonamide antibiotic residues in food, which pose significant threats to public health and food safety, this study introduces a cutting-edge detection method. Surface molecular imprinting on silicon nanoparticles is harnessed to fabricate a novel fluorescent sensor that exploits the luminescent properties of cadmium telluride (CdTe) quantum dots. This innovative approach aims to detect residual sulfonamide antibiotics with high specificity and sensitivity. At the heart of this research is the development of a core-shell nanostructure, where silicon dioxide serves as the core, and a molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) layer, tailored to recognize sulfamethazine (SM₂), forms the shell. The pivotal advancement in this sensor design is the integration of highly fluorescent CdTe quantum dots within the MIPs layer, which significantly enhances the signal response, enabling the detection of SM₂ with remarkable precision. The synthesis of this sensor employs a novel strategy, utilizing 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane as the functional monomer, while tetraethyl orthosilicate and ammonium hydroxide act as catalysts to facilitate the polymerization reaction. This meticulous process yields a stable core-shell structure with active fluorescent properties. Experimental results reveal that under optimal conditions, the sensor exhibits a robust linear response to SM₂ concentrations ranging from 10 to 60 μmol L⁻¹, with a detection limit as low as 0.78 μmol L⁻¹. Furthermore, when applied to real food samples, such as honey, the sensor not only demonstrates high recovery rates of 92.3%–98.1%, but also maintains a low relative standard deviation of less than 2.5%. The implications of this study are far-reaching, offering a promising avenue for the rapid and reliable monitoring of antibiotic residues in the food supply chain, thereby safeguarding consumer health and upholding food safety standards.     

Analysis of antibiotics from liquid sample using electrospray ionization-ion mobility spectrometry

The recent findings of antibiotic residues in aquatic environment at trace level have gained much concern for the detrimental effect on ecological and human health due to bacterial resistance. Here, the feasibility of using electrospray ionization ion mobility spectrometry (ESI-IMS) for analysis antibiotics in liquid sample is demonstrated. Reduced mobilities and collision cross sections of 18 antibiotics are experimentally measured and compared with theoretical values according to mass-mobility correlation. Gentamicin is used as an example to investigate the capability of ESI-IMS for multi-component analysis of antibiotics. Mixtures of antibiotics at different concentrations are analyzed. The estimated detection limit for amoxicillin is 0.7 mg L⁻¹ (70 pg) and the linear range of response maintains over two orders. This method will be a potential technique for the analysis of antibiotics in aquatic environment.     

Recent advances in sample preparation techniques and methods of sulfonamides detection – A review

Sulfonamides (SAs) have been the most widely used antimicrobial drugs for more than 70 years, and their residues in foodstuffs and environmental samples pose serious health hazards. For this reason, sensitive and specific methods for the quantification of these compounds in numerous matrices have been developed. This review intends to provide an updated overview of the recent trends over the past five years in sample preparation techniques and methods for detecting SAs. Examples of the sample preparation techniques, including liquid–liquid and solid-phase extraction, dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and QuEChERS, are given. Different methods of detecting the SAs present in food and feed and in environmental, pharmaceutical and biological samples are discussed.     

A Study of Sulfadimidine-β-Cyclodextrin Mixtures

A physical mixture and a kneadedproduct containing sulfadimidine and-cyclodextrin were prepared. The morphology ofthese products and of the sulfadimidine bulk substancewere studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).The thermoanalytical behaviour of the samples wasinvestigated. The existence of an inclusion complex inthe products could not be proved. However an increasein dissolution rate was observed. The reason in thecase of the physical mixture lies in the regulardistribution of the active agent crystals and the-cyclodextrin crystals, and in the case of thekneaded product in the formation of new recrystallizedparticles.