On-line Identification of chiral ofloxacin in milk with an extraction/ionization device coupled to Electrospray Mass Spectrometry

Development of Magnetic Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Coupled Nanospray Ion Source for Analysis of Cephalosporin Antibiotics in Food Samples

A magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer (MMIP) coupled nanospray ion source was developed for analysis of cephalosporin antibiotics in food samples. MIP coated Fe₃O₄ nanospheres were prepared for magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) of the antibiotics in the extract of samples and then integrated into the nanospray capillary for further desorption and mass spectrometry analysis. The developed device combines the advantages of high extraction efficiency of MSPE, unique selectivity of MIPs, and fast analysis speed of ambient ionization mass spectrometry (AIMS). Five cephalosporin antibiotics in milk, egg, and beef samples were analyzed using the developed methods. High sensitivities with limits of detection (LODs) from 0.3 to 0.5 μg kg^-1 were achieved for cephalosporin antibiotics in milk, egg, and beef samples, respectively. Good linearity, determination coefficient values (R² > 0.992), and precision (RSD < 15%) with recoveries ranging from 72.6% to 115.5% were obtained using the spiked milk, egg, and beef sample matrices.

Pretreatment Methods for the Determination of Antibiotics Residues in Food Samples and Detected by Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Mass Spectrometry Detectors: A Review

With the increasing use of antibiotics worldwide, antibiotic monitoring has become a topic of concern. After metabolizing of antibiotics in animals, the metabolites enter the environment through excreta or ingested by the human body via food chain that may exacerbate the emergence of antibiotic resistance and then threaten human's life. This article summarized several analytical methods used for the determination of antibiotics in recent 10 years. Due to the complex matrices and low concentration level of antibiotics in the food samples, a reliable analysis method is required to maximize the recovery rate. Several techniques like solid phase extraction (SPE), dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) and QuEChERS have been frequently used in the pretreatment process for analytes extraction and concentration. After the pretreatment, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry has been a reliable method for quantitative analysis and is able to determine multiple antibiotics simultaneously. This review also gives an overview about analytical conditions for antibiotics residues in different food samples and their method validation parameters.

Optimization of a Ligand Exchange Chromatography Method for the Enantioselective Separation of Levofloxacin and Its Chiral Impurity

BACKGROUND

Levofloxacin is a third-generation fluoroquinolone that has several advantages over its (R) ofloxacin isomer. It is used to treat different types of infection, including urinary infection and prostatitis.

OBJECTIVE

A new HPLC method for the enantioselective separation of levofloxacin and its chiral impurity was developed and validated to improve the separation of the enantiomers of levofloxacin [impurity(R) and active principle (S)] by increasing the value of the resolution between the eutomer and the distomer.

METHOD

Chromatographic separation was performed on a Prodigy ODS -2, 5 µm 4.6 × 150 mm column, with a gradient of buffer solution and methanol (80:20, v/v). A Box-Behnken design was considered when optimizing the enantioseparation involving the effects of many factors such as the concentration of d-phenylalanine, the pH of the buffer, the percentage of organic modifier in the mobile phase, the flow rate, the temperature of the column, and the type of column.

RESULTS

Chiral separation was achieved with an optimal resolution of 3.8. The method was successfully validated following the International Conference on Harmonization Q2 (R1) guideline, fulfilling the acceptance criteria for selectivity [no interference in the retention time of (S) levofloxacin and (R) levofloxacin], linearity (r ≥0.999 in the range 1.25-3.75 µg/mL for all enantiomers), and precision (RSD <2%). Accuracy was assessed by the application of the analytical method to an analyte of known purity, providing evidence for the usefulness of this monitoring system.

CONCLUSIONS

The method was successfully used for the determination of levofloxacin impurity in raw material and pharmaceutical dosage forms.

HIGHLIGHTS

The following method is accurate and robust to quantify and characterize the presence of levofloxacin impurity in raw material for pharmaceutical compounds.