Comprehensive screening and quantification of veterinary drugs in milk using UPLC-ToF-MS

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Food Safety Science

Background:

• Veterinary drug residues in milk pose a significant food safety concern.
• Accurate and sensitive analytical methods are crucial for monitoring these residues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a quantitative screening method for over 100 veterinary drugs in milk using UPLC-ToF-MS.
• To assess the method's accuracy, sensitivity, and reliability for regulatory compliance.

Main Methods:

• Ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-ToF-MS).
• Sample preparation involved protein precipitation, centrifugation, and solid-phase extraction (SPE).
• Method validation followed EU guidelines (2002/657/EC) for quantitative screening.

Main Results:

• The method demonstrated satisfactory repeatability (86% < 20% RSD) and reproducibility (96% < 40% RSD).
• Accuracy ranged from 80-120% for 88% of compounds, indicating reliable quantification.
• The method effectively differentiated between suspected and negative samples, and concentrations above or below MRLs.

Conclusions:

• UPLC-ToF-MS provides a powerful, sensitive, and accurate approach for multi-residue analysis of veterinary drugs in milk.
• The validated method is suitable for routine screening and quantification, contributing to enhanced food safety.
• The technique's capabilities extend to other organic contaminants, suggesting broader applications.