Multi-residual analysis of 16 β-agonists in pig liver, kidney and muscle by ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

A delicate method was developed for simultaneous analysis of 16 illegal residual β-agonists in pork tissues including liver, kidney and meat. The samples were subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis, extracted with perchloric acid, and then dual Oasis HLB and MCX solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridges were used for cleanup. The analytes were quantified by ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–ESI–MS/MS) operating in positive multiple-reaction mode (MRM). Matrix-fortified calibration curves were performed to compensate for the matrix effect and loss in sample preparation. CCα and CCβ of the analytes upon the method ranged from 0.02 to 0.79 μg/kg and from 0.04 to 1.62 μg/kg, respectively.