Rapid confirmatory analysis of avermectin residues in milk by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

Our study developed a quick method for confirmatory analysis of avermectins (abamectin B1a, doramectin, ivermectin B1a, eprinomectin B1a, and moxidectin) in bovine milk according to the European Commission Decision 2002/657/EC requirements. Avermectins were liquid–liquid extracted with acetonitrile, followed by an evaporation step, and then analyzed by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry in the negative ion mode. An in-house method validation was performed and the data reported on specificity, linearity, recovery, limit of detection, limit of quantitation, decision limit, and detection capability. The advantage of this method is that low levels of avermectins are detectable and quantitatively confirmed at a rapid rate in milk.