The use of ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric detection in the analysis of agrochemical residues and mycotoxins in food – Challenges and applications

In the field of food contaminant analysis, the most significant development of recent years has been the integration of ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC), coupled to tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry (MS/MS), into analytical applications. In this review, we describe the emergence of UHPLC through technological advances. The implications of this new chromatographic technology for MS detection are discussed, as well as some of the remaining challenges in exploiting it for chemical residue applications. Finally, a comprehensive overview of published applications of UHPLC–MS in food contaminant analysis is presented, with a particular focus on veterinary drug residues.

► This review examines the role of UHPLC–MS/MS technology in agrochemical analysis.
► The emergence of UHPLC technology is discussed, and the implications for veterinary drug residue testing are documented.
► Current challenges associated with UHPLC–MS methods are reported on.
► An overview is given of multi-residue analytical methods, where UHPLC–MS technology has been successfully applied.