Efficient hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry for the multiclass analysis of veterinary drugs in chicken muscle

A simple and sensitive method has been developed for multiresidue analysis of 24 important veterinary drugs (including 3 aminoglycosides, 3 β-lactams, 2 lincosamides, 4 macrolides, 4 quinolones, 4 sulfonamides, 3 tetracyclines, and amprolium) in chicken muscle. The method involved a simple extraction using (1:1, v/v) of 2% trichloroacetic acid in water–acetonitrile, followed by removing fat with hexane, dilution of sample extract, and filtration prior to liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometric (LC–MS/MS) analysis. Hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) proved to be very effective for separation of a wide range of polar and hydrophilic compounds (providing high sensitivity and good peak shape) compared to reversed phase and ion-pair separation. The method was successfully validated according to the European Decision 2002/657/EC. Average recoveries were 53–99% at 0.5-MRL, MRL, and 1.5-MRL spiking levels, with satisfactory precision ≤15% RSD. The limit of detection of the method was 0.1–10 μg kg−1 for 22 analytes and 20 μg kg−1 for aminoglycosides. These values were lower than the maximum residue limits (MRLs) established by the European Union. The evaluated method provides reliable screening, quantification, and identification of 24 veterinary drug residues in foods of animal origin. It has been successfully tested in real samples (such as chicken muscle, shrimp, and egg).