Development of a LC-IT-TOF MS Procedure to Quantify Veterinary Drug Residues in Milk Employing a QuEChERS Approach

Tetracyclines in pasteurized milk commercialized in São Paulo, Brazil: occurrence and dietary risk assessment based on single and combined exposure with polyether ionophores

Tetracyclines and polyether ionophores are veterinary drugs frequently used in animals reared for food production. Despite the benefits, residues can be harmful for human health if levels are higher than those considered safe. The aim of this study was to evaluate, by LC-MS/MS, tetracyclines residues in pasteurised milk samples marketed in São Paulo state, Brazil and estimate the exposure of the adult/adolescent/children population. Within the eight antibiotics monitored two were detected, tetracycline and 4-epitetracycline, found in 22.5% and 12.5% of the samples, respectively. Since the same samples had been previously tested for polyether ionophore residues, risk assessment based on dietary exposure to tetracyclines when considered individually and in combination with the ionophores was performed. The daily intakes were below the acceptable daily intake (ADI) for tetracycline. Considering the levels of monensin reported in a previous study, the combined exposure with tetracycline and 4-epi-tetracycline also indicated low potential health concerns.

A REVIEW ON DETERMINATION OF THE VETERINARY DRUG RESIDUES IN FOOD PRODUCTS

In this paper, we discuss veterinary medicine and its applications in the food field as well as its risk to the health of humans and animals by the residues. We review how the veterinary residues enter and cause some detrimental effects. We also mention two techniques to determine the residue of veterinary medication that existed in food originating from animals, including classic and advanced techniques. Finally, we discuss the potential of various developed methods compared to some traditional techniques.

Multiclass Comparative Analysis of Veterinary Drugs, Mycotoxins, and Pesticides in Bovine Milk by Ultrahigh-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Hybrid Quadrupole-Linear Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry

A multiclass and multiresidue method for simultaneously screening and confirming veterinary drugs, mycotoxins, and pesticides in bovine milk was developed and validated with ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography–hybrid quadrupole–linear ion trap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Qtrap-MS). A total of 209 targeted contaminants were effectively extracted using an optimized QuEChERS method. Quantitative and qualitative confirmation were achieved simultaneously by multiple reaction monitoring–information-dependent acquisition–enhanced product ion (MRM-IDA-EPI) scan mode. The validation results exhibited a good sensitivity with the LOQs of 0.05–5 μg/kg, which was satisfactory for their MRLs in China or EU. The recoveries of in-house spiked samples were in the range of 51.20–129.76% with relative standard deviations (RSD) between replicates (n = 3) 0.82% and 19.76%. The test results of 140 milk samples from supermarkets and dairy farms in China showed that cloxacillin, aflatoxin M1, acetamiprid, and fipronil sulfone were found with lower concentrations. Combined with the residue results from the literature, penicillin G and cloxacillin (beta-lactams), enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin (fluoroquinolones), and sulfamerazine (sulfonamides) were more frequently detected in different countries and need to receive more attention regarding their monitoring and control.

Polyether ionophores residues in pasteurized milk marketed in the state of São Paulo, Brazil: Occurrence and exposure assessment

This paper aimed to survey the occurrence of six polyether ionophores (lasalocid, maduramycin, monensin, narasin, salinomycin and semduramycin) in pasteurized milk using a validated method by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). For that, 40 samples of pasteurized milk, from seven brands, collected in six locations (supermarkets, grocery stores and greengrocers) in the metropolitan region of São Paulo and Campinas, São Paulo State, Brazil, were evaluated. Sampling included whole (18), skimmed (8) and semi-skimmed (10) milk as well as lactose-free (4) products. Only monensin antibiotic residues were found in the analyzed samples. This ionophore was confirmed in 45% of the samples and quantified in 32.5% at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 0.27 μg kg^-1. The positive samples were whole or semi-skimmed milk. Considering the levels of monensin reported in the present study and data on milk consumption in Brazil, an exposure assessment indicated that the intake of this antibiotic does not represent a risk to health.

Development of a QuEChERS method for simultaneous analysis of antibiotics in carcasses for supplementary feeding of endangered vultures

Antibiotics have been beneficial for human and animal health. However, an excessive use in livestock and a deficient management of the carcasses can lead to adverse effects in the scavengers that ingest them, especially in "supplementary feeding sites" (SFS). The aim of this study was to assess the potential risk of exposure to antibiotics for an endangered population of Cinereous vultures (Aegypius monachus) from southeastern Portugal. Hence, a multi-residue method based on QuEChERs was adapted and validated to analyse, in small volumes of tissues, the most frequent antibiotics used in livestock. The method was applied to 87 samples of liver, muscle and kidney from 7 goats and 25 sheep disposed in SFS. According to questionnaires to farmers, the animals had not been treated with antibiotics, but analyses showed residues in 29% of the samples. Antibiotics were more frequent in goats (42.9%) than in sheep (24.2%), and oxytetracycline and trimethoprim were the most common (both 13.8%). Oxytetracycline, the most common antibiotic for livestock in Portugal, showed the highest concentration (1452.68 ng g^-1). To our knowledge, this is the first study of presence of antibiotics in carrion from SFS. The concentrations of antibiotics in carrion do not seem to pose a risk of acute intoxication for adult Cinereous vultures. However, subtle and likely chronic exposure with unknown health consequences may occur, which requires more research. Moreover, the results of this first study can be used in future studies to assess the risk for avian scavengers.

Separation and characterization of unknown impurities in cefonicid sodium by trap-free two-dimensional liquid chromatography combined with ion trap time-of-flight mass spectrometry

RATIONALE

Seven unknown antibiotic impurities in cefonicid sodium were separated and characterized by a trap-free two-dimensional liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution ion-trap time-of-flight mass spectrometry (2D-LC/IT-TOF MS) using both positive and negative modes of electrospray ionization. Trap-free 2D-LC and an online demineralization technique made it possible to characterize cefonicid sodium under the conditions of the official standard, and the TIC chromatogram obtained by LC/MS was in conformity with the LC chromatogram obtained by the official analytical method in the peak sequence of impurities.

METHODS

In the first dimension, the column was a GRACE Alltima C₁₈ (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm), and the gradient elution used 0.02 mol·L^-1 ammonium dihydrogen phosphate solution and methanol as mobile phase. In the second dimension, the analytical column was a Shimadzu Shim-pack GISS C₁₈ (50 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.9 μm) with 10 mmol·L^-1 ammonium formate solution and methanol as mobile phase. Full scan LC/MS was first executed to obtain the exact m/z values of the molecules. Then LC/MS² and LC-MS³ experiments were performed on the compounds of interest.

RESULTS

The structures of seven unknown degradation products in cefonicid sodium were deduced based on the high-resolution MSⁿ data using both positive and negative mode.

CONCLUSIONS

The problem of incompatibility between the non-volatile salt mobile phase and mass spectrometry was solved completely by multidimensional heart-cutting approaches and an online demineralization technique, which is worthy of widespread use and application for the advantages of stability and repeatability.

Application of a trap-free two-dimensional liquid chromatography combined with ion trap/time-of-flight mass spectrometry for separation and characterization of impurities and isomers in cefpiramide

High-resolution mass spectrometry had been routinely used for structure identification of impurity. However, all LC-MS methods were based on a volatile mobile phase, and a non-volatile system is used in the official analytical method of United States Pharmacopoeia for cefpiramide which limited the use of mass spectrometry for structure characterization of the impurities. Here we presented the utilization of a trap-free two-dimensional liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution ion trap/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (2D LC-IT-TOF MS) with positive and negative modes of electrospray ionization for characterization of eight impurities in cefpiramide. Trap-free two-dimensional liquid chromatography and online desalting technique made it possible to characterize the impurity in cefpiramide in the condition of official standard, and the TIC chromatogram of LC-MS was in conformity with the LC chromatogram of the official analytical method in the peak sequence of impurities, which could further improve the method of official monographs in pharmacopoeias. Each peak separated by the non-volatile mobile phase was trapped by a 20 μL quantitative loop then transferred into a system with a volatile mobile phase connected to a MS detector. In the first dimension, the column was Kromasil C₈ analytical column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) with a non-volatile salt mobile phase at the flow rate of 0.8 mL min^-1. In the second dimension, the column was Shimadzu Shim-pack GISS C₁₈ (50 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.9 μm) with a volatile salt mobile phase at the flow rate of 0.3 mL min^-1. Through the multiple heart-cutting 2D-LC approach and online desalting technique, the problem of incompatibility between non-volatile salt mobile phase and mass spectrometry was solved completely. The fragmentation behavior of cefpiramide and its eight impurities were studied. The structures of eight impurities in cefpiramide drug substance were deduced based on the HPLC-MSⁿ data, in which seven impurities were novel impurities. The forming mechanisms of degradation products in cefpiramide were also studied.

Qualitative Multiresidue Screening Method for 143 Veterinary Drugs and Pharmaceuticals in Milk and Fish Tissue Using Liquid Chromatography Quadrupole-Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

A wide-scope screening methodology has been developed for the identification of veterinary drugs and pharmaceuticals in fish tissue and milk using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF MS). The method was validated using a qualitative approach at two concentration levels. The detection of the residues was accomplished by retention time, accurate mass, and the isotopic fit using an in-house database. Product-ion spectra were used for unequivocal identification of the compounds. Generic sample treatment was applied. The majority of the compounds were successfully detected and identified at concentration levels of 150 ng mL(-1) in milk and 200 μg kg(-1) in fish (>80% of the compounds in both matrices), whereas satisfactory results were also obtained at concentration levels of 15 ng mL(-1) in milk and 20 μg kg(-1) in fish (>60% of the compounds detected and identified).