Solid-phase extraction and HPLC determination of fluoroquinolones in surface waters

Area of Science:

• Environmental Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Veterinary fluoroquinolones (FQs) are widely used, raising concerns about their environmental presence.
• Marbofloxacin (MAR) and enrofloxacin (ENR) are common FQs in cattle and swine farming.
• Understanding FQ environmental fate requires accurate detection methods in natural waters.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate optimal filtration and solid-phase extraction (SPE) procedures for determining trace FQs.
• To compare different filters and SPE sorbents for FQ recovery.
• To develop a method for quantifying both dissolved and NOM-absorbed FQs.

Main Methods:

• Evaluation of various filtration materials and SPE sorbents (anionic WAX and HLB resins).
• Quantitative analysis using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Fluorescence Detection (HPLC-FD).
• Determination of FQ degradation kinetics under solar irradiation.

Main Results:

• Nylon filters combined with WAX and HLB SPE resins provided accurate FQ recovery (90-116%).
• The method successfully quantified both dissolved and natural organic matter (NOM)-absorbed FQ fractions.
• Achieved low limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) for ENR and MAR.

Conclusions:

• The developed method offers a comprehensive approach for FQ determination in natural waters.
• This contributes to monitoring and managing the environmental impact of veterinary antibiotics.
• Further research explored FQ photodegradation kinetics.