High-throughput method for the determination of residues of β-lactam antibiotics in bovine milk by LC-MS/MS

Abstract

This study describes the development and validation procedures for scope extension of a method for the determination of β-lactam antibiotic residues (ampicillin, amoxicillin, penicillin G, penicillin V, oxacillin, cloxacillin, dicloxacillin, nafcillin, ceftiofur, cefquinome, cefoperazone, cephapirine, cefalexin and cephalonium) in bovine milk. Sample preparation was performed by liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) followed by two clean-up steps, including low temperature purification (LTP) and a solid phase dispersion clean-up. Extracts were analysed using a liquid chromatography-electrospray-tandem mass spectrometry system (LC-ESI-MS/MS). Chromatographic separation was performed in a C18 column, using methanol and water (both with 0.1% of formic acid) as mobile phase. Method validation was performed according to the criteria of Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. Main validation parameters such as linearity, limit of detection, decision limit (CCα), detection capability (CCβ), accuracy, and repeatability were determined and were shown to be adequate. The method was applied to real samples (more than 250) and two milk samples had levels above maximum residues limits (MRLs) for cloxacillin – CLX and cefapirin – CFAP.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• penicillins
• cephalosporins
• antibiotics residues
• bovine milk
• mass spectrometry

Additional information

Funding

The authors would like to thank the CAPES for the fellowships provided for Louise Jank and Juliana Bazzan Arsand, and to the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) for the fellowship provided to Magda Targa Martins.