Determination of macrocyclic lactones in bovine liver using QuEChERS and HPLC with fluorescence detection

A method for the determination of the macrocyclic lactones Abamectin (ABA), Ivermectin (IVER), Doramectin (DORA) and Moxidectin (MOXI) in liver using HPLC with fluorescence detection is presented. The analytes were extracted and purified using a QuEChERS method. Prior to injection into an HPLC system the sample extracts were reacted with a mixture of 1-methylimidazole, triethylamine, and trifluoroacetic anhydride to obtain the fluorescent derivatives of the analytes. The method has been validated according to EU Decision 2002/657. Recovery for the analytes ranged from 85 to 90%. Repeatibility and Trueness varied between 8-18% and −6 to 6%, respectively and were compliant with the requirements stated in EU Decision 2002/657. Limit of Decision (CCα) were: 22.8 μg kg−1 (ABA), 126.3 μg kg−1 (DORA), 118.3 μg kg−1 (MOXI) and 126.9 μg kg−1 (IVER).