Analysis of β₂-agonists in cattle hair samples using a rapid UHPLC–ESI–MS/MS method

Abstract

A simple and efficient method was developed for simultaneous analysis of five illegal residual β₂-agonists in cattle hair. β₂-Agonists were quantified by ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry operating in positive multiple-reaction monitoring mode. The method was validated as quantitative confirmatory method according to the EU Decision 2002/657/EC: instrumental linearity, specificity, precision, recovery, decision limit (CCα) and detection capability (CCβ) were evaluated. The recovery were greater than 90% and the method appeared suitable for the control of these β₂-agonists in cattle hair samples with LOQ values between 4.9 and 5.5 μg/kg. This method could represent a simple and cheap approach to confirm β₂-agonists contamination of cattle for feeding in a not invasive way and before slaughter operations.

Keywords:

• UHPLC–ESI–MS/MS
• β₂-agonists
• cattle hair
• Commission Decision 2002/657/EC

Acknowledgements

Financial support by the Ministero dell’Istruzione, dell’Università e della Ricerca, Rome and by the Università di Palermo is gratefully acknowledged.