Mass spectrometric analysis of tetracycline antibiotics in foods

We will review recent developments in mass spectrometric analysis of tetracycline antibiotics (TCs) in foods. The mass spectrometric techniques discussed are as follows: the collision-activated decomposition mass-analysed ion kinetic energy spectrometry (CAD MIKES), thin-layer chromatography (TLC)- fast atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectrometry (MS), particle beam (PB) liquid chromatography (LC)-MS, LC-fit FAB MS, thermospray (TSP) LC-MS, atmospheric chemical ionization (APCI) LC-MS and tandem electrospray (ESI) LC-MS. Their advantages and limitations are described in the confirmation of TCs in foods: CAD MIKES can confirm TCs with high sensitivity; however, its practical application is questionable because of uncommon instrumentation. TSP has a problem in reproducibility of the mass spectrum. Although TLC-FAB-MS can be applied to any kind of samples, it cannot be used for the quantitative analysis. LC-frit FAB-MS is a useful technique for the confirmation of TCs in honey, but it cannot be applied to animal tissues because of a lack of sensitivity. PB negative chemical ionization, APCI, and ESI-MS-MS can reliably confirm TCs in foods with good reproducibility.