Determination of clenbuterol in porcine tissues using solid-phase extraction combined with ultrasound-assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and HPLC–UV detection

Adulterated dietary supplements commercialized in Brazil: development of a screening method and a preliminary study of cytotoxicity

The high consumption of dietary supplements was a fundamental driver for the creation of the regulatory framework by the Brazilian governmental authorities. However, the regulatory agencies lack official low-cost methodologies to evaluate the quality of food supplements. A preliminary screening method by HPLC-DAD was proposed and validated for screening and quantification of adulterants in dietary supplements. The limits of detection and quantification were <0.11 and 0.37 µg.g-1, respectively. The method was applied for the investigation of ten unauthorized substances (spironolactone, hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide, clenbuterol, testosterone, testosterone propionate, yohimbine, vardenafil, tadalafil, and sildenafil) with a time of analysis of <5 min. Sixteen percent of the 44 samples analyzed had at least one adulterant at or above therapeutic concentrations. Subsequently, in vitro evaluations were performed of the potential cytotoxicity to evaluate the cell viability, DNA damage, determination of nitric oxide levels, and quantification of reactive oxygen species. Despite the necessity of further studies, the results indicate a relationship between the presence of adulterants in food supplements and a potential cytotoxic effect.

Quantum dot-based fluorescence-linked immunosorbent assay for the rapid detection of lomefloxacin in animal-derived foods

Lomefloxacin (LMF), a third-generation fluoroquinolone antibacterial agent, is often used to treat bacterial and mycoplasma infections. However, due to its prolonged half-life and slow metabolism, it is prone to residues in animal-derived foods, posing a potential food safety risk. Therefore, it is particularly urgent and important to establish a method for detecting lomefloxacin. In this study, direct and indirect competitive fluorescence-linked immunosorbent assay (dc-FLISA and ic-FLISA) based on quantum dots (QDs) was established for the detection of LMF. As for dc-FLISA, the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) and limit of detection (LOD) were 0.84 ng/mL, 0.04 ng/mL, respectively, the detection ranges from 0.08 to 9.11 ng/mL. The IC50 and LOD of ic-FLISA were 0.43 ng/mL and 0.03 ng/mL, respectively, meanwhile the detection ranges from 0.05 to 3.49 ng/mL. The recoveries of dc-FLISA and ic-FLISA in animal-derived foods (milk, fish, chicken, and honey), ranged from 95.8% to 105.2% and from 96.3% to 103.4%, respectively, with the coefficients of variation less than 8%. These results suggest that the dc-FLISA and ic-FLISA methods, which are based on QD labelling, are highly sensitive and cost-effective, and can be effectively used to detect LMF in animal-derived foods.

Simultaneous Determination of Multiple Contaminants in Chicken Liver Using Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction (DLLME) Detected by LC-HRMS/MS

Simultaneous determination of a mixture of food contaminants, including pesticides, sulphonamides, fluoroquinolones, anthelmintics, and aflatoxin B1, in solid biological samples (chicken liver) by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction/liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (DLLME/LC-HRMS) is presented. Previous work focused on the application of DLLME to single-class contaminants. In this work, the DLLME extraction method has been extended to complex multiresidues in the biological matrix. The first part of this study was the selection of an appropriate solvent that enabled the dissolution of analytes from the chicken livers. The matrix-matched calibration curves showed good linearity in the range 0.5-50.0 µg kg^-1 for aflatoxin B1 and 50-500 µg kg^-1 for pesticides, fluoroquinolones, sulphonamides, and anthelmintics, with a coefficient of determination (R²) values of 0.9916-0.9967. The mean recoveries were in the range of 80.4-96.3%, and the relative standard deviation (RSD) values were in the range of 1.53-8.98%. The limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantification (LOQ) values were 0.03 µg kg^-1 and 0.09 µg kg^-1, respectively, for aflatoxin B1, and for pesticides, fluoroquinolones, sulphonamides, and anthelmintics, they were in the range of 0.011-1.197 µg kg^-1 and 0.150-2.579 µg kg^-1, respectively. The developed method was compared with the standard solid phase extraction (SPE) method, and there was no significant difference between the two methods.

Simple determination of dichlorvos in cases of fatal intoxication by gas Chromatography-Mass spectrometry

Dichlorvos (DDVP) is an organophosphorous insecticide which is classified as "highly hazardous" Class 1B chemical by World Health Organization (WHO) and largely misused for the purpose of self-poisoning in developing countries. Forensic toxicology laboratories are routinely encountering cases of pesticide poisoning due to their fatal intoxication. Herein; a method is described based on vortex-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (VA-DLLME) coupled with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) for the determination of an organophosphorous insecticide; dichlorvos (DDVP) in human autopsy samples (blood, stomach content and liver). Under the optimum conditions, the method was found to be linear in the range of 0.5-10 µg mL^-1 and 1.5-10 µg g^-1 for blood and tissue samples, respectively. Limit of quantification was set at 0.55 µg mL^-1 and 1.1 µg g^-1 for blood and tissue samples, respectively. Intraday and inter-day precisions were less than 8 and 12 %, respectively. Good recoveries in the range of 86-95 % were obtained for the proposed procedure. The method has been satisfactorily applied for the determination of DDVP in autopsy samples from two different cases received in our laboratory. In comparison to previous methods; the proposed method is relatively short, high sample throughput, inexpensive and adheres to the principles of green analytical chemistry (GAC) for determination of DDVP in human autopsy samples. The method can be adopted in forensic toxicological laboratories for analysis of DDVP in autopsy samples. In addition, the green character of the proposed method was evaluated using ComplexGAPI procedure.

Development and Validation of a Stability Indicating LC-MS/MS Method for the Determination of Clenbuterol HCl

Clenbuterol hydrochloride (CLT), β₂ adrenergic agonist is used as a bronchodilator in the therapeutic treatment of asthma. It is important to know the stability behaviour of the drug in different degradation conditions as per ICH Q1A (R2) guidelines for safety and efficacy purpose. The main objective of the study is to develop and validate stability indicating LC-MS/MS method for the determination of Clenbuterol HCl. The separation was achieved using Phenomenex Gemini NX C18 (250*4.6 mm, 5 μ) column and the mobile phase consisting of ammonium acetate buffer (5 mM), 0.15% triethylamine (TEA), pH 7.5 with acetic acid: methanol (70:30, v/v) at flow rate 1 ml/min. The detection was done using PDA detector at 245 nm. The validation was performed as per ICH Q2 (R1) guideline. The drug was subjected to stress degradation conditions as per ICH Q1A (R2) guidelines. The significant degradation was observed in acidic (8.78%) and sunlight (liquid) (9%) condition while no degradation was observed in neutral, basic, oxidation and thermal condition. The drug and its degradation products were characterized using LC-MS/MS and the proposed degradation mechanism was communicated. The developed method was found to be stability-indicating, simple, specific, selective, sensitive, linear, accurate, robust and precise and used as a routine analysis in quality control laboratory.

Sensitive detection of clenbuterol by hybrid iridium/silicon nanowire-enhanced laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry

There is increasing demand for anti-doping drug monitoring in sports and food safety checks by developing sensitive and fast analytical methods. Here we report the development of hybrid Ir/SiNW as a new MALDI matrix for the detection of small molecules. This matrix is characterized by sufficient UV absorption, low-noise background, and high efficiency in ionization of small molecules. Sensitive detection of clenbuterol (LOD: 0.18 pmol) and a variety of other small molecules has been achieved using the Ir/SiNW matrix with a reproducible performance. Compared to the individual components separately, the matrix of hybrid Ir/SiNW synthesized via in situ growth can promote the MS signal intensity by up to 10 fold under identical experimental conditions. We provide a unique mechanism for the high performance of the hybrid Ir/SiNW matrix with the characteristic properties of hydrogen atom transfer and enhanced protonation at the interface of the hybrid nanostructures. Our approach of using a hybrid Ir/SiNW matrix enables detection of clenbuterol quantitatively in complicated biological samples and in vivo experiments, promising a useful tool for food security and anti-doping drug monitoring in sports.

Novel paper-based colorimetric immunoassay (PCI) for sensitive and specific detection of salbutamol residues in flesh of swine and urine using Ag3 PO4 /Ag nanocomposite as label

Salbutamol (SAL) can cause potential hazards to human health and its use as a growth promoter in meat-producing animals is illegal. This work reports a novel approach for competitive paper-based colorimetric immunoassay (PCI) using the Ag₃ PO₄ /Ag nanocomposite as label for sensitive and specific determination of SAL in flesh of swine and urine. The Ag₃ PO₄ /Ag nanocomposite was synthesized by a one-step chemical bath method, which could instantly oxidize a chromogenic substrate for the color development under acidic conditions without the participation of H₂ O₂ . This approach provides high affinity between the Ag₃ PO₄ /Ag nanocomposite and the substrate (with the Michaelis-Menten constant of 0.44 mM). In addition, the fabrication process of the PCI was simple and cost-effective. Particularly, the novel PCI also exhibits simplicity and cost-effectiveness of the fabrication process through a simple wax screen-printing, which requires inexpensive equipment and material including a screen, wax, a squeegee, and a hair dryer. Under optimal conditions, the competitive PCI exhibited a linearity range of 0.025 to 1.00 µg/L. The developed approach offers advantages over the conventional ELISA for the purpose of routine use because it requires a shorter incubation time (<1 hr), significantly small volumes of reagents and samples (<100 µL each), and an inexpensive consumer-grade digital camera coupled with a simple gray-scale transformation of the RGB (Red Green Blue) color image for the purpose of quantification of the detection. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Salbutamol (SAL) can cause potential hazards to human health and the use of which as growth promoter in meat-producing animals is illegal. This work introduces a novel approach for competitive immunoassay on paper-based colorimetric immunoassay using the Ag₃ PO₄ /Ag nanocomposite as the label (instead of using natural enzyme) for low-cost, sensitive, and specific determination of SAL residues at low level in flesh of swine and urine samples. The proposed approach offers advantages over the conventional ELISA for the purpose of routine use.

Construction, expression and functional analysis of anti-clenbuterol codon-optimized scFv recombinant antibody

The construction, expression and functional analysis of codon-optimized single-chain variable fragment (coscFv) against clenbuterol (CBL) prepared from the Escherichia coli system is described. First, the ionic concentration for coscFv expression was optimized through single-factor experiments. Then, the extraction conditions of inclusion bodies were optimized, and coscFv was affinity-purified. Finally, the functional analysis of coscFv was elucidated by indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (icELISA) and molecular docking. After optimizing the ionic concentration, the yield of coscFv increased from 21.69% to 23.26%. The molecular weight of coscFv was determined to be approximately 27 kDa according to the SDS-PAGE and Western blot assay. The percentage of coscFv was as high as 43.9% after the inclusion bodies were extracted, washed, and dissolved. Functional analysis indicated that the coscFv recognized CBL, and the 50% inhibition average concentration of CBL (IC₅₀) was 4.22 ± 0.01 (n = 3) ng/mL. The binding site between coscFv and CBL consisted of Asp33H, Met34H, Ser50H, Arg52H, Tyr57H, Leu59H, Asp99H, and Tyr93L. Our study confirms that coscFv can bind with CBL through the key amino acid residues and can be used to sensitively detect CBL.

Visualization and colorimetric determination of clenbuterol in pork by using magnetic beads modified with aptamer and complementary DNA as capture probes, and G-quadruplex/hemin and DNA antibody on the metal-organic framework MIL-101(Fe) acting as a peroxidase mimic

A visualization strategy is described for the detection of clenbuterol (CLB). It is using of antibody against dsDNA and G-quadruplex/hemin labeled on a metal organic framework of type MIL-101(Fe) (G-quadruplex/hemin-anti-DNA/MIL-101) acting as a peroxidase mimetic, and magnetic beads modified with aptamer and complementary DNA (MB/Apt-cDNA) as capture probes. The detection reagent was prepared via the reactions between the double stranded DNA (Apt-cDNA) in capture probes and anti-DNA in peroxidase mimetic. In the presence of CLB, the aptamer on the magnetic beads preferentially binds CLB, and the peroxidase mimetic is released to the supernatant after magnetic separation. The released peroxidase mimetic can catalyze the TMB/H₂O₂ chromogenic system under mild conditions. This leads to the development of a blue-green coloration whose absorbance is measured at 650 nm. The detection limit is as low as 34 fM of CLB. The method was applied to the determination of CLB in pork samples and gave results that were consistent with data obtained with an ELISA kit. Graphical abstract A visualization strategy is described for the detection of clenbuterol. The selectivity of detection system for clenbuterol is excellent compared with other interferents. The method was applied to the determination of CLB in pork samples.

A nanocomposite fluorescent probe of polyaniline, graphene oxide and quantum dots incorporated into highly selective polymer for lomefloxacin detection

A nanocomposite fluorescent probe based on fluorescence quenching was fabricated and utilized for the detection of lomefloxacin. The fabricated probe integrated the high sensitivity of quantum dots, the excellent selectivity of molecularly imprinted polymer and the high adsorption affinity of graphene oxide and polyaniline. The probe exhibited good sensitivity, high specificity, and rapidity for lomefloxacin monitoring. Fluorescence emission was reduced linearly by lomefloxacin from 0.10 to 50.0 μg L^-1 and the probe exhibited a low limit of detection of 0.07 μg L^-1. The nanooptosensor successfully detected lomefloxacin in milk, chicken meat and egg samples. Recoveries were obtained in the range of 81.5-99.6% and the RSDs were below 7%. The results of this method agreed well with results of HPLC but provided higher sensitivity. This easily fabricated nanocomposite probe could be developed into a highly sensitive and selective optosensor to detect other organic compounds in various complex samples.

Computer-Aided Design of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for Simultaneous Detection of Clenbuterol and Its Metabolites

Molecular imprinting technology (MIT) offers an effective technique for efficient separation and enrichment of specific analytes from complicated matrices and has been used for illicit veterinary drug detectionin recent years due to its high selectivity, good chemical stability, and simple preparation. The development of in silico-based approaches has enabled the simulation of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) to facilitate the selection of imprinting conditions such as template, functional monomer, and the best suitable solvent. In this work, using density functional theory (DFT), the molecularly imprinted polymers of clenbuterol and its metabolites were designed by computer-aided at B3LYP/6-31 + G (d, p) level. Screening molecular imprinting components such as functional monomers, cross-linkers, and solvents has been achieved in the computational simulation considerations. The simulation results showed that methacrylic acid (MAA) is the best functional monomer; the optimal imprinting ratio for both clenbuterol (CLB) and its dummy template molecule of phenylephrine (PE) to functional monomer is 1:3, while the optimal imprinting ratio for the two dummy template molecules of CLB's metabolites is 1:5. Choosin gethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (EDGMA) as a crosslinker and aprotic solvents could increase the selectivity of the molecularly imprinted system. Atoms in Molecules (AIM) topology analysis was applied to investigate the template-monomer complexes bonding situation and helped to explain the nature of the reaction in the imprinting process. These theoretical predictions were also verified by the experimental results and found to be in good agreement with the computational results. The computer-simulated imprinting process compensates for the lack of clarity in the mechanism of the molecular imprinting process, and provides an important reference and direction for developing better recognition pattern towards CLB and its metabolite analytes in swine urine samples at the same time.

Simultaneous determination of β-agonists and monitoring in bovine tissues by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

The misuse of β-agonists leads to a potential risk to public health and is forbidden in many countries. We developed a rapid, sensitive and reliable multi-residue detection method for zilpaterol, ractopamine, and clenbuterol in bovine tissues by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Residues were extracted in ethyl acetate after protein precipitation, and then analyzed by the developed method. Good linearities (R2 > 0.99) were observed, and the recoveries of zilpaterol, ractopamine, and clenbuterol were 99%, 74%, and 102%, respectively. The limits of quantitation for zilpaterol, ractopamine, and clenbuterol were 1.3, 5.0, and 1.7 ng/g, respectively. The method is also applied successfully to bovine tissues within the Korean National Residue Programme. None of the 3 β-agonists were detected from 50 domestic samples. However, zilpaterol (6.3 ng/g) was quantified in one out of the 50 imported samples. The application of this method will be helpful in quality control analysis of β-agonists residues in bovine tissues.

A voltammetric immunosensor for clenbuterol based on the use of a MoS2-AuPt nanocomposite

An ultrasensitive immunosensor for the direct detection of the illegally used livestock feed clebuterol (CLB) is described. It is based on the use of a glassy carbon electrode modified with an MoS₂-AuPt nanocomposite and on biotin-streptavidin interaction. The use of MoS₂-AuPt accelerates electron transfer, and this leads to a sharp increase in the electrochemical signal for the electrochemical probe hydrogen peroxide. Differential pulse voltammetry was used to record the current signal at a peak potential of -0.18 V (vs SCE). Under optimal conditions, the electrode has a linear response in the 10 pg·mL^-1 to 100 ng·mL^-1 CLB concentration range and a 6.9 pg·mL^-1 detection limit (based on the 3σ criterium). This immunosensor is sensitive, highly specific and acceptably reproducible, and thus represents a valuable tool for the determination of CLB in pork. Graphical abstract Schematic of a voltammetric immunosensor for the determination of clenbuterol (CLB) based on the use of a nanocomposite prepared from molybdenum disulfide and a gold-platinum alloy (MoS₂-AuPt), and making use of the biotin-streptavidin system.

Enhancing a clenbuterol immunosensor based on poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/multi-walled carbon nanotube performance using response surface methodology

A clenbuterol immunosensor was developed with a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/multi-walled carbon nanotube-modified screen-printed carbon electrode and optimized using response surface methodology.

A novel quartz crystal microbalance sensor array based on molecular imprinted polymers for simultaneous detection of clenbuterol and its metabolites

For the rapid and robust detection of both parent clenbuterol (CLB) and its metabolites in swine urine samples, a novel quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensor array for CLB detection based on molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) was developed in this investigation. At first, clenbuterol and the structural analogs of its metabolites, 4-Aminohippuric acid (AHA) and 4-hydroxymandelic acid (HMA), were chosen as molecular templates. Through computational molecular modeling, the optimum ratio between the functional monomer and molecular template was selected. The surface imprinting method was applied to modify QCM electrode surface to graft a thin MIP film. The grafting polymer was characterized by Fourier-transformed infrared spectrometry (FTIR) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), respectively. After then, an array system composed of three sensors was employed to test the responses with different solutions and the principal component analysis (PCA) was adopted to analyze the corresponding data. As a result, for the designed sensor to clenbuterol, a linear equation y=100.07x-722.96 (R²=0.9928) was found between the sensor frequency shift ΔF and negative logarithm of clenbuterol concentration (-lgC). The limitation of detection (LOD) was 3.0ng/mL, which is lower than the Codex Alimentarius Commission regulations residue limit 10μg/L. The corresponding data of the three template solutions were analyzed by PCA, obtaining 100% recognition. The result demonstrated the feasibility that the developed method could be applied to detect whether the livestock was feed with CLB nutrient redistribution agent by checking the urine samples.

Rapid screening of toxic salbutamol, ractopamine, and clenbuterol in pork sample by high-performance liquid chromatography—UV method

A rapid and simple high-performance liquid chromatography–UV method was developed for the separation and quantification of salbutamol, ractopamine, and clenbuterol in pork. A mixture of acetonitrile–formic acid–ammonium acetate was used as the mobile phase to separate three β-agonists on a C18 column with gradient. The effects of the addition of formic acid and ammonium acetate to mobile phases on the separation of β-agonists were investigated. These additives can greatly improve the resolution and sensitivity. Under the optimized chromatographic condition, this separation does not need extra sample preparation. Complete baseline separation of three β-agonists was achieved in < 20 minutes; the linear range is 0.2–50 μg/L with a correlation coefficient R² value of > 0.99. Excellent method reproducibility was found by intra- and interday precisions with a relative standard deviation of < 3%. The detection limit (S/N = 3) was found to be <0.05 μg/L; this method can be used for routine screening of the β-agonist residues in foods of animal origin before being identified by confirmatory methods.

Trace determination of antibacterial pharmaceuticals in fishes by microwave-assisted extraction and solid-phase purification combined with dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction followed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A novel pretreatment method involving microwave-assisted extraction and solid-phase purification combined with dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (MAE-SPP-DLLME) followed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) was established for the simultaneous determination of six antibacterial pharmaceuticals including metronidazole, tinidazole, chloramphenicol, thiamphenicol, malachite green and crystal violet. The conditions of MAE were optimized using an orthogonal design and the optimal conditions were found to be 8mL for acetonitrile, 50°C for 5min. Then, neutral alumina column was employed in the solid-phase purification. Finally, the critical parameters affecting DLLME, including selection of extraction and dispersive solvent, adjustment of pH, salt concentration, extraction time, were investigated by single factor study. Under optimum conditions, good linearities (r>0.9991) and satisfied recoveries (Recoveries>87.0%, relative standard deviation (RSD)<6.3%) were observed for all of the target analytes. The limits of detection and quantification were 4.54-101.3pgkg(-1) and 18.02-349.1pgkg(-1), respectively. Intra-day and inter-day RSDs were all lower than 3.6%. An obvious reduction in matrix effect was observed by this method compared with microwave assisted extraction followed by purification. The established method was sensitive, rapid, accurate and employable to simultaneously determine target analytes in farmed fish, river fish and marine fish.

Rapid Determination of Clenbuterol in Pork by Direct Immersion Solid-Phase Microextraction Coupled with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Direct immersion solid-phase microextraction (DI-SPME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was developed for rapid analysis of clenbuterol in pork for the first time. In this work, a low-cost homemade 44 µm polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) SPME fiber was employed to extract clenbuterol in pork. After extraction, derivatization was performed by suspending the fiber in the headspace of the 2 mL sample vial saturated with a vapor of 100 µL hexamethyldisilazane. Lastly, the fiber was directly introduced to GC-MS for analysis. All parameters that influenced absorption (extraction time), derivatization (derivatization reagent, time and temperature) and desorption (desorption time) were optimized. Under optimized conditions, the method offered a wide linear range (10-1000 ng g(-1)) and a low detection limit (3.6 ng g(-1)). Finally, the method was successfully applied in the analysis of pork from the market, and recoveries of the method for spiked pork were 97.4-105.7%. Compared with the traditional solvent extraction method, the proposed method was much cheaper and fast.

Ultra-preconcentration and determination of organophosphorus pesticides in soil samples by a combination of ultrasound assisted leaching-solid phase extraction and low-density solvent based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction

USAL-SPE-LDS-DLLME has been applied for the determination of OPPs in soil samples.