Determination of nitroimidazoles and their metabolites in swine tissues by liquid chromatography

A liquid chromatographic method was developed for determination of metronidazole (MNZ), ronidazole (RNZ), dimetridazole (DMZ), and 2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-5-nitroimidazole (DMZOH) in swine tissue. After extraction with ethyl acetate and evaporation, the nitroimidazoles were redissolved in hydrochloric acid. Hexane was used in the liquid-liquid extraction to remove fat. An Oasis HLB solid-phase extraction was performed after neutralization of the acidic extract. The limits of detection were 1.0-2.0 microg/kg for DMZOH, MNZ, RNZ, and DMZ in muscle and liver. Average recoveries ranged from 80.1 to 83.9% in muscle fortified at 10, 20, and 50 microg/kg; average recoveries in liver ranged from 78.9 to 82.3%. The procedure provides a simple and sensitive method for monitoring DMZOH, MNZ, RNZ, and DMZ residues in swine tissues.