Quantitative multi-residue method for determination antibiotics in chicken meat using turbulent flow chromatography coupled to liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

A multi-class method for identification and quantification of 36 antibiotics from seven different chemical classes (aminoglycosides, macrolides, lincosamides, sulfonamides, tetracyclines, quinolones and trimethoprim) has been developed by using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. The method was optimised for detection of antibiotics in chicken meat. Sample preparation including extraction with a mixture of acetonitrile:2% trichloroacetic acid (45:55, v/v), centrifugation and filtration was followed by on-line clean-up using turbulent flow chromatography. Using this automated on-line technique enabled a larger number of samples to be analysed per day than with a traditional clean-up technique (e.g. solid phase extraction). The optimised method was validated according to the European Commission Directive 2002/657/EC. In-house validation was performed by fortifying the blank matrix at three levels 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 MRL (maximum residue limit), or respectively, at concentrations as low as possible for substances without an MRL. Precision in terms of repeatability standard deviation ranged from 3 to 28% and recovery values were between 80 and 120% in most cases. All calculated validation parameters including CCα and CCβ were in the compliance with the legislative requirements.

► Multi-residue LC–MS/MS method for 7 different classes of antibiotics in chicken meat.
► Method validated according to the EU Commission Decision 2002/657/EC.
► On-line sample clean-up using turbo flow technology was employed.
► Significant reduction in sample treatment time compared to conventional methods.