Simultaneous determination of 15 aminoglycoside(s) residues in animal derived foods by automated solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

An automated method has been developed for the simultaneous quantification of 15 aminoglycosides in muscle, liver (pigs, chicken and cattle), kidney (pigs and cattle), cow milk, and hen eggs by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Homogenized samples were extracted by monopotassium phosphate buffer (including ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid), and cleaned up with auto solid-phase extraction by carboxylic acid cartridges. The analytes were separated by a specialized column for aminoglycosides, and eluted with trifluoroacetic acid and acetonitrile. The decision limits (CCα) of apramycin, gentamycin, tobramycin, paromomycin, hygromycin, neomycin, kanamycin, sisomicin, netilmicin, ribostamycin, kasugamycin, amikacin, streptomycin, dihydrostreptomycin and spectinomycin were ranged from 8.1 to 11.8 μg/kg and detection capabilities (CCβ) from 16.4 to 21.8 μg/kg. High correlation coefficients (r2 > 0.99) of calibration curves for the analytes were obtained within linear from 20 to 1000 μg/kg. Reasonable recoveries (71–108%) were demonstrated with excellent relative standard deviation (RSD). This method is simple pretreatment, rapid determination and high sensitivity, which can be used in the determination of multi-aminoglycosides in complex samples.

► Using auto solid-phase extraction by carboxylic acid cartridges.
► Using hydrophilic interaction chromatography column to separate.
► A rapid method for quantitative determination of 15 aminoglycosides.
► The method reduced the analysis time and improved the extraction efficiency.