Detection of zilpaterol (Zilmax®) in calf urine and faeces with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

In this study, a LC-MS3 confirmatory method was developed for the simultaneous detection of zilpaterol and di-aromatic beta-agonists in urine samples. A LC-MS2 method was optimised for the detection of zilpaterol in faeces. To study the excretion profile in urine and faeces, a male veal calf was orally treated with daily doses of Zilmax® during 2 weeks. Zilpaterol was mainly excreted via urine.