Multi-residue method for detecting coccidiostats at carry-over level in feed by HPLC-MS/MS.

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Food Safety Analysis

Background:

• Coccidiostats are widely used in animal feed.
• Ensuring feed safety requires sensitive detection of coccidiostat residues.
• Regulation 2009/8/EC specifies 11 key coccidiostats.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a multi-residue method for coccidiostats in feedstuffs.
• To achieve sensitive detection and quantification at carry-over levels.
• To comply with European Union legislation for analytical methods.

Main Methods:

• High-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with Electrospray Ionization and Tandem Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS).
• Simultaneous extraction, detection, and confirmation of 11 specified coccidiostats.
• In-house validation according to European legislation (2002/657/EC).

Main Results:

• The method demonstrated high sensitivity, allowing quantification and confirmation below target concentrations for all 11 coccidiostats.
• Excellent precision was achieved under repeatability and within-laboratory reproducibility conditions (RSD(r) and RSD(R) < maximum permitted values).
• High specificity was confirmed, with no interference from potentially cross-reacting substances.

Conclusions:

• The developed HPLC-ESI-MS/MS method is suitable for the simultaneous analysis of 11 coccidiostats in feedstuffs.
• The method meets the stringent requirements of European legislation for food and feed analysis.
• This validated method provides a reliable tool for monitoring coccidiostat residues in feedstuffs to ensure safety.