Generic and rapid determination of veterinary drug residues and other contaminants in raw milk by ultra performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

A generic, rapid and simple analytical method able to identify 255 veterinary drug residues and other contaminants in raw milk had been developed. The method was based on two-step simple precipitation and ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization and tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–ESI–MS/MS) operating both in positive and negative multiple reaction mode (MRM). For most of the target analytes, the optimized pretreatment processes led to no significant interference on analysis from complicated sample matrix. For quantification, matrix-fortified calibration curves were performed to compensate for the matrix effect and loss in sample preparation. Competent linearity was found for over 90% of target compounds with linear regression coefficients (R) higher than 0.99. Detection limits ranged from 0.05 to 10 μg/kg. Average recoveries spiked into raw milk were in the range from 63% to 141% with associated RSD values from 1% to 29% under the selected conditions. The method had been validated for its extraction sensitivity, linearity, recoveries and precision. The results clearly demonstrated the feasibility of the approach proposed. Application of this method, which improved efficiency and coverage of residues, would imply a drastic reduction of both effort and time in routine monitoring programs.

► First, the proposed method was generic for a wide range polarity compounds.
► Second, the method, with only two steps, was rapid and straightforward.
► Third, the way to remove water in milk for concentration was novelty.
► Finally, this kind of method is urgently needed in dairy plants.