QuEChERS sample pre-processing with UPLC-MS/MS: A method for detecting 19 quinolone-based veterinary drugs in goat's...

Area of Science:

• Food safety analysis
• Analytical chemistry
• Veterinary drug residue detection

Background:

• Quinolone antibiotics are widely used in animal husbandry.
• Monitoring quinolone residues in milk is crucial for public health.
• Existing methods for quinolone detection in milk can be time-consuming.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a rapid and reliable method for determining 19 quinolones in goat's milk.
• To optimize extraction and clean-up procedures for enhanced efficiency.
• To ensure the method meets analytical performance criteria for routine testing.

Main Methods:

• Combined QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, Safe) extraction with ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS).
• Utilized Plackett-Burman and Central Composite Design for parameter optimization.
• Employed dispersive solid-phase extraction (dSPE) with C18 and Na2SO4 for clean-up.

Main Results:

• Achieved limits of quantification (LOQs) of 5 ppb for 19 quinolones.
• Demonstrated high linearity (R² > 0.9853), acceptable recoveries (73.4-114.2%), and good precision (repeatability < 15.0%, intermediate precision < 13.6%).
• The method was successfully applied to analyze 10 goat milk samples from Taiwan.

Conclusions:

• The developed QuEChERS-UPLC-MS/MS method is suitable for the routine determination and identification of quinolone residues in goat's milk.
• This method provides a sensitive and efficient tool for food safety monitoring.
• The findings contribute to ensuring the safety of milk products for consumers.