Fast HPLC-MS/MS Method for Determining Penicillin Antibiotics in Infant Formulas Using Molecularly Imprinted...

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Food Safety
• Veterinary Pharmacology

Background:

• Dairy cattle infections often treated with penicillin, leading to potential residues in milk products.
• Penicillin residues in milk powder and infant formulas pose risks to consumers.
• European Union (EU) sets maximum residue limits (MRLs) for antibiotics in food products.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and optimize molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) sorbents for solid-phase extraction (SPE) of penicillins.
• To enable fast and simultaneous extraction of eight common penicillin residues from milk powder.
• To ensure compliance with EU MRLs for penicillin residues in infant formulas.

Main Methods:

• Precipitation polymerization used to create MIP sorbents.
• Optimized MIP sorbents for simultaneous solid-phase extraction (MISPE) of eight penicillins.
• Analysis of extracted penicillins using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

Main Results:

• Developed and tested various MIP sorbents for efficient penicillin extraction.
• Demonstrated applicability of MIPs for extracting penicillins at EU MRL levels in milk powder.
• Achieved limits of detection and quantification below legal tolerances for most penicillins.

Conclusions:

• MIP-based MISPE is a suitable method for rapid determination of penicillin residues in infant formulas.
• The method supports regulatory compliance and enhances food safety monitoring.
• Further optimization needed for oxacillin and cloxacillin quantification to meet MRLs.