Quechers methodologies as an alternative to solid phase extraction (SPE) for the determination and characterization of residues of cephalosporins in beef muscle using LC-MS/MS

► We compared SPE and QuEChERS methods to determine seven cephalosporins in cow muscle. ► An experimental design was used to optimize the two clean-up methods. ► The validation of the two methods was done according to the Directive 2002/657/EC. ► The separation and detection of the cephalosporins was carried out by LC-MS/MS. ► Comparable results were found for two methods in terms of quality parameters.