Rapid high-performance liquid chromatographic determining technique of sulfamonomethoxine, sulfadimethoxine, and sulfaquinoxaline in eggs without use of organic solvents

Molecularly Imprinted Polymer-Coated CdTe Quantum Dots for Fluorometric Detection of Sulfonamide Antibiotics in Food Samples

This work reports the development and application of a highly selective core@shell-based quantum dot-molecularly imprinted polymer (QD@MIP) sensor for the detection of sulfadiazine (SDZ)-an antibiotic which belongs to the sulfonamide family. The synthesis of the smart material or MIP (molecularly imprinted polymer) was carried out by a precipitation method directly on the quantum dot surface, which played the role of a fluorescent probe in the optical sensor. The synthesized polymer was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Fluorescence experiments were performed in order to evaluate the effects of pH, interaction time of the QD@MIP with the analyte and SDZ concentration in different matrices. Under optimized conditions, a linear concentration range of 10.0-60.0 ppm and a limit of detection of 3.33 ppm were obtained. The repeatability and reproducibility of the proposed QD@MIP were evaluated in terms of the RSD, where RSD values of less than 5% were obtained in both tests. Selectivity studies were carried out in the presence of four possible interfering substances with quenching properties, and the signals obtained for these interferents confirmed the excellent selectivity of the proposed sensor; the imprinting factor value obtained for SDZ was 1.64. Finally, the proposed sensor was applied in real animal-based food samples using a spiked concentration of SDZ, where the recovery values obtained were above 90% (experiments were performed in triplicate).

On-line preconcentration and determination of sulfadiazine in food samples using surface molecularly imprinted polymer coating by capillary electrophoresis

In this study, on-line preconcentration and selective determination of the trace sulfadiazine (SDZ) existing in milk and hen egg white samples were realized by the capillary electrophoresis using molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) coated capillary. The capillary coated with MIP was firstly prepared through the surface imprinted techniques, using SDZ as template molecule and dopamine as function monomer and crosslinker, and then amine-terminated poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline) (PMOXA-NH₂) was introduced onto polydopamine layer to reduce the non-specific adsorption. Successful preparation of SDZ-MIP-PMOXA coating was verified by zeta potential, as well as water contact angle. The SDZ-MIP-PMOXA coated capillary performed well on-line preconcentration of SDZ and the obtained peak area of SDZ was 46 times higher than that one obtained in bare capillary using the same procedure. Then the proposed on-line preconcentration method was fully validated and displayed good linear behavior in the concentration from 5.0 to 100.0 ng/mL, with the limit of detection was low to 1.5 ng/mL; and this method presented excellent accuracy and robustness. The prepared SDZ-MIP-PMOXA coated capillary also showed high selectivity with the imprinting factor of 5.85 and good repeatability during five consecutive runs with the relative standard deviation value of peak area was 1.6%. At last, the application of the prepared SDZ-MIP-PMOXA coated capillary in the detection of SDZ in spiked food samples was investigated, and good recoveries of 98.7-109.3% were obtained.

Application of molecular imprinting polymer anchored on CdTe quantum dots for the detection of sulfadiazine in seawater

A molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) anchored on the surface of CdTe quantum dots (QDs) was fabricated and used as a fluorescent probe for sulfadiazine (SDZ) detection in seawater. CdTe QDs was used as photoluminescent material, SDZ as the template, 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) as the functional monomer and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as the cross-linking agent. Characterizations of MIP-QDs were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Scanning electron microscope (SEM). The conditions were optimized for the detection of MIP-QDs to SDZ. The mechanism of fluorescence quenching was studied by UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy. Under optimal conditions, the fluorescence intensity of MIP-QDs decreased linearly between 4- and 20 μM SDZ with a good correlation coefficient of 0.995. The limit of detection is 0.67 μM and the recovery is between 91.8 and 109.4% with RSD lower than 3.9%. These results indicated that MIP-QDs for SDZ detection in seawater was developed successfully.

A sensitive method for the determination of Sulfonamides in seawater samples by Solid Phase Extraction and UV-Visible spectrophotometry

The authors have developed a sensitive spectrophotometric method for determination of sulfonamide derivatives such as sulfanilamide (SAA), sulfadiazine (SDZ), sulfacetamide (SCT) sulfamethoxazole (SMX), sulfamerazine (SMR), sulfadimethoxine (SDX), sulfamethiazole (SMT) and Sulfathiazole (STZ). This method is based on the Bratton-Marshall reaction, which involves the diazotization of sulfonamides with sodium nitrite under acidic conditions, followed by coupling with N-(1-naphtyl) ethylenediamine dihydrochloride (NED) to form a pink colored compound. Therefore, the Bratton-Marshall method was modified by optimizing the reaction conditions, which allows us to determine a low concentration range of sulfonamides compared to the reported methods. The limits of detection and quantification obtained were 0.019-0.05 and 0.06-0.16μgmL^-1, respectively. In comparison with other reported methods using different coupling agents, the proposed method was found to be the most simple and sensitive for sulfonamides determination. In this paper, the modified method was successfully employed for the determination of sulfonamides in drinking water, seawater and pharmaceutical and veterinary formulations. The purpose of this work is to optimize and develop a simple method for extraction and concentration of sulfonamides present as residues in seawater and their quantification with the recommended spectrophotometric method. Solid phase extraction (SPE) of sulfonamides from seawater samples was evaluated using Oasis HLB cartridges (3mL, 540mg). The recovery efficiency was investigated in the sulfonamides concentration range comprised between 0.19 and 126ngmL^-1. The ease of use of this extraction method makes it very useful for routine laboratory work.

Graphene-doped Bi2S3 nanorods as visible-light photoelectrochemical aptasensing platform for sulfadimethoxine detection

Bismuth sulphide (Bi2S3) nanorods doped with graphene (G) were synthesized and explored as photoactive materials for constructing a photoelectrochemical (PEC) aptasensor for sulfadimethoxine (SDM) detection. The formation of Bi2S3 nanorods and G nanosheets was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and further characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy. The PEC measurements indicated that the photocurrent response of Bi2S3 was obviously improved by doping suitable amount of G. The G-Bi2S3 composite coated electrode was utilized for fabricating a PEC aptasensor by covalently immobilizing a 5'-amino-terminated SDM aptamer on the electrode surface. Based on the specific interaction between SDM and the aptamer, a PEC sensor responsive to SDM was obtained. Under optimal conditions, the proposed sensor showed a linear photocurrent response to SDM in the concentration range of 1.0-100nM, with a low detection limit (3S/N) of 0.55nM. Moreover, the sensor showed high sensitivity, stability and reproducibility. The potential applicability of the PEC aptasensor was confirmed by detecting SDM in veterinary drug formulation and milk.

Development of a novel carbon paste sensor for determination of micromolar amounts of sulfaquinoxaline in pharmaceutical and biological samples

A potentiometric carbon paste sensor was fabricated for determination of sulfaquinoxaline (SQX) based on the use of ion-association complex of sulfaquinoxaline sodium with 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride. The proposed sensor exhibited Nernstian slope of 58.4 ± 0.3 mV per decade for sulfaquinoxaline over a wide concentration range of 5.0 × 10(-6) to 1.0 × 10(-2)M, with a low detection limit of 3.0 × 10(-6)M. The sensor manifested advantages of fast response time, satisfactory reproducibility, long life time, high thermal stability and, most importantly, excellent selectivities for sulfaquinoxaline relative to a wide variety of common foreign inorganic cations, anions, sugars and amino acids. The sensor was successfully used for determination of sulfaquinoxaline in pharmaceutical solution, blood serum, urine and milk samples. The isothermal coefficient of the electrode was calculated by the investigation of temperature effects on the electrode potential response.

Preparation of molecularly imprinted polymers based on magnetic carbon nanotubes for determination of sulfamethoxazole in food samples

An efficient approach was developed to synthesize the imprinted magnetic carbon nanotubes nanocomposite and apply for sulfamethoxazole enrichment from milk and honey samples.

Withdrawal times of oxytetracycline and tylosin in eggs of laying hens after oral administration

Antimicrobials administered to laying hens may be distributed into egg white or yolk, indicating the importance of evaluating withdrawal times (WDTs) of the pharmaceutical formulations. In the present study, oxytetracycline and tylosin's WDTs were estimated. The concentration and depletion of these molecules in eggs were linked to their pharmacokinetic and physicochemical properties. Twenty-seven Leghorn hens were used: 12 treated with oxytetracycline, 12 treated with tylosin, and 3 remained as an untreated control group. After completion of therapies, eggs were collected daily and drug concentrations in egg white and yolk were assessed. The yolk was used as the target tissue to evaluate the WDT; the results were 9 and 3 days for oxytetracycline and tylosin, respectively. In particular, oxytetracycline has a good oral bioavailability, a moderate apparent volume of distribution, a molecular weight of 460 g/mol, and is lightly liposoluble. Tylosin, a hydrosoluble compound, with a molecular weight of 916 g/mol, has a low oral bioavailability and a low apparent volume of distribution, too. Present results suggest that the WDTs of the studied antimicrobials are strongly influenced by their oral bioavailability, the distribution, and the molecular weight and solubility, and that these properties also influence the distribution between the egg yolk and white.

Scope extension validation protocol: inclusion of analytes and matrices in an LC-MS/MS sulfonamide residues method

Validation is a required process for analytical methods. However, scope extension, i.e. inclusion of more analytes, other matrices and/or minor changes in extraction procedures, can be achieved without a full validation protocol, which requires time and is laborious to the laboratory. This paper presents a simple and rugged protocol for validation in the case of extension of scope. Based on a previously reported method for analysis of sulfonamide residues using LC-MS/MS, inclusion of more analytes, metabolites, matrices and optimisation for the extraction procedure are presented in detail. Initially, the method was applied only to liver samples. In this work, milk, eggs and feed were also added to the scope. Several case-specific validation protocols are proposed for extension of scope.

Synthesis, crystal structure and fluorescence spectrum of a cadmium(II) sulfaquinoxaline complex

catena-Poly[[[4-amino-N-(quinoxalin-2-yl)benzenesulfonamidato]aquacadmium(II)]-μ-4-amino-N-(quinoxalin-2-yl)benzenesulfonamidato], [Cd(C14H11N4O2S)2(H2O)], has been synthesized hydrothermally and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, fluorescence, IR and thermal analysis. Single-crystal X-ray analysis reveals that the complex is a one-dimensional zigzag chain structure, and the Cd(II) cation has a distorted octahedral coordination geometry formed by five N atoms from three different sulfaquinoxaline ligands and one O atom from a water molecule. The fluorescence spectrum reveals that the complex emits strong blue fluorescence and thermal analysis shows that the complex has high thermal stability.

Simultaneous detection of sulfamethazine and sulfaquinoxaline using a dual-label time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay

A dual-label time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay (TRFIA) was introduced for the simultaneous quantification of sulfamethazine (SM2) and sulfaquinoxaline (SQX). Lanthanide (Eu(3+) and Sm(3+))-labelled antibodies were used because lanthanides have higher stabilities and narrower emission spectra than most fluorescent dyes. The sensitivity of the TRFIA for SM2 was 0.02 ng ml(-1), and the average recoveries and the intra- and inter-assay CVs were 77.2-107.6%, 5.4-10.5%, and 6.0-11.2%, respectively. The sensitivity of the TRFIA for SQX was 0.04 ng ml(-1); and the average recoveries and the intra- and inter-assay CVs were 74.1-102.8%, 4.6-10.9%, and 8.7-11.2%, respectively. The method was used to analyse chicken tissue and egg samples, and the results agreed well with the results of HPLC and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analyses, with correlation coefficients (R(2)) of 0.9415-0.9724. The TRFIA developed is a simple, fast and sensitive method for the high-throughput simultaneous screening of SM2 and SQX in edible animal tissues.

Ultrasensitive Nano-ELISA for Detecting Sulfadimethoxine in Chicken Tissue

It is challenging to obtain a highly sensitive enzyme-linked sorbent immunoassay (ELISA) method for the rapid screening of veterinary drug residue in animal tissues. Here we present that a simple and sensitive detection for sulfadimethoxine (SDM) residue in animal tissues was achieved by utilizing a bioconjugate of gold nanoparticles and enzyme-labeled antibody as signal probe in enzyme-linked sorbent immunoassay (ELISA). The developed nano-ELISA has increased the sensitivity of a traditional ELISA for SDM by 20-fold. The sensitivity of this ELISA was 5 pg/mL in buffer, and the detection limit (LOD) of 0.2 µg/kg can be obtained after chicken liver was simply extracted by buffer. This simple and sensitive method can be used to improve the sensitivity of ELISA methods for various small molecule contaminants.

Automated Online Solid-Phase Extraction Coupled with Sequential Injection-HPLC-EC System for the Determination of Sulfonamides in Shrimp

The use of fully automated online solid-phase extraction (SPE) coupled with sequential injection analysis, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and electrochemical detection (EC) for the separation and determination of sulfonamides has been developed. A homemade microcolumn SPE system coupled with sequential injection analysis (SIA) was used to automate the sample cleanup and extraction of sulfonamides. The optimal flow rate of sample loading and elution was found to be 10 μL/s, and optimal elution time of zone was 20–24 s. Under the optimal conditions, a linear relationship between peak area and sulfonamide concentrations was obtained in the range of 0.01–8.0 μg mL−1. Detection limits for seven sulfonamides were between 1.2 ng mL−1and 11.2 ng mL−1. The proposed method has been applied for the determination of sulfonamides in shrimp. Recoveries in the range of 84–107% and relative standard deviations (RSDs) below 6.5% for intraday and 13% for inter-day were received for three concentration levels of spiking. The results showed that the present method was simple, rapid, accurate and highly sensitive for the determination of sulfonamides.

Molecularly imprinted polymer online solid-phase extraction coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography-UV for the determination of three sulfonamides in pork and chicken

A selective imprinted amino-functionalized silica gel sorbent was prepared by combining a surface molecular imprinting technique with a sol-gel process for online solid-phase extraction-HPLC determination of three trace sulfonamides in pork and chicken muscle. The imprinted functionalized silica gel sorbent exhibited selectivity and fast kinetics for the adsorption and desorption of sulfonamides. With a sample loading flow rate of 4 mL min (-1) for 12.5 min, enhancement factors and detection limits for three sulfonamides ( S/ N = 3) were achieved. The precision (RSD) for nine replicate online sorbent extractions of 5 microg L (-1) sulfonamides was less than 4.5%. The sorbent also offered good linearity ( r (2) > 0.99) for online solid-phase extraction of trace levels of sulfonamides. The method was applied to the determination of sulfonamides in pork and chicken muscle samples. The prepared polymer sorbent shows promise for online solid-phase extraction for HPLC determination of trace levels of sulfonamides in pork and chicken samples.

Simultaneous quantification of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim in whole egg samples by column-switching high-performance liquid chromatography using restricted access media column for on-line sample clean-up

This work reports the application of restricted access media (RAM) column, in a multidimensional configuration, for simultaneous analysis of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and trimethoprim (TMP) in whole eggs with ultraviolet detection. The proteins were partially precipitated by adding 0.5 mL of acetonitrile into 1.0 mL of blended egg followed by centrifugation. The supernatant was injected (250 microL) directly into the multidimensional system. At the first dimension, a restricted access medium (RAM) bovine serum albumin (BSA) octadecyl column (100 mm x 46 mm I.D., Luna silica, 10 microm particle size and 100 A pore size), was used for extraction and concentration of the analytes and at second dimension, an octadecyl column (150 mm x 46 mm I.D., Luna silica, 10 microm particle size and 100 A pore size), for analysis. The developed method showed good selectivity, accuracy and precision for quantification of these different compounds in eggs, and the limits of quantification were 80 ng/mL, for both compounds. The validated method is reliable and sensitive for monitoring residues in whole eggs samples and thus, to determine withdraw period for laying hens using veterinary medicine having SMX-TMP combination.

Pressurized liquid extraction combined with capillary electrophoresis–mass spectrometry as an improved methodology for the determination of sulfonamide residues in meat

A new analytical method, based on capillary electrophoresis and tandem mass spectrometry (CE-MS2), is proposed and validated for the identification and simultaneous quantification of 12 sulfonamides (SAs) in pork meat. The studied SAs include sulfathiazole, sulfadiazine, sulfamethoxypyridazine, sulfaguanidine, sulfanilamide, sulfadimethoxyne, sulfapyridine, sulfachloropyridazine, sulfisoxazole, sulfasalazine, sulfabenzamide and sulfadimidine. Different parameters (i.e. separation buffer, sheath liquid, electrospray conditions) were optimized to obtain an adequate CE separation and high MS sensitivity. MS2 experiments using an ion trap as analyzer, operating in the selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode, were carried out to achieve the required number of identification points according to the 2002/657/EC European Decision. For the quantification in pork tissue samples, a pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) procedure, using hot water as extractant followed by an Oasis HLB cleanup, was developed. Linearity (r between 0.996 and 0.997), precision (RSD<14 %) and recoveries (from 76 to 98%) were satisfactory. The limits of detection and quantification (below 12.5 and 46.5 microg kg(-1), respectively) were in all cases lower than the maximum residue limits (MRLs), indicating the potential of CE-MS2 for the analysis of SAs, in the food quality and safety control areas.

Development of an immunochromatographic lateral-flow test strip for rapid detection of sulfonamides in eggs and chicken muscles

A rapid immunochromatographic lateral-flow test strip was developed in the competitive reaction format for the detection of sulfonamides in eggs and chicken muscle. A monoclonal antibody against the common structure of sulfonamides was conjugated to colloidal gold particles as the detection reagent and an N-sulfanilyl-4-aminobenzoic acid (SUL)-bovine serum albumin (BSA) conjugate was immobilized to a nitrocellulose membrane as the capture reagent to prepare the test strip. With this method, it required only 15 min to accomplish the semiquantitative or quantitative detection of sulfonamides. The sensitivity to sulfonamides (sulfamonomethoxine, sulfamethoxydiazine, sulfadimethoxine, and sulfadiazine) was at least 10 ng/mL, as determined with an optical density scanner. By eye measurement, the sensitivity was 20 ng/mL for sulfamonomethoxine, sulfamethoxydiazine, and sulfadimethoxine and 40 ng/mL for sulfadiazine. On the basis of a sulfamonomethoxine standard curve, recoveries were from 89.5 to 95.6% for sulfamonomethoxine, from 89.5 to 95.1% for sulfamethoxydiazine, from 85.0 to 95.6% for sulfadimethoxine, and from 44.8 to 60.9% for sulfadiazine in egg and chicken muscle samples. A parallel analysis of 27 egg samples and 28 chicken muscle samples from the animal experiment showed that the differences between test strips and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were from 0.8 to 11.2% for egg samples and from 2.2 to 34% for chicken muscle samples for the quantitative detection, and the agreement rates between test strips and HPLC were 100%, based on the maximum allowed residue level of sulfadiazine (100 ng/g) established by the European Union and China. In conclusion, the method is rapid and accurate for the detection of sulfonamides in eggs and chicken muscles.

Development and validation of an immunochromatographic assay for rapid detection of sulfadiazine in eggs and chickens

A rapid immunochromatographic assay (ICA) was developed and validated for the detection of sulfadiazine in eggs and chickens. Based on the competitive reaction mechanism, the competitor of sulfadiazine (sulfadiazine-BSA conjugate) was immobilized to the defined detection zone on a nitrocellulose membrane which acted as the capture reagent, and the monoclonal antibody against sulfadiazine was conjugated to colloidal gold particles which served as the detection reagent for the preparation of the immunochromatographic strips to test sulfadiazine. With this method, the semi-quantitative detection of sulfadiazine was accomplished in less than 15min, with high sensitivity to sulfadiazine (5ng/g) and low cross-reactivities with other sulfonamides. With experimental egg and chicken samples spiked with sulfadiazine at concentrations of 10, 20, and 100ng/g, recoveries were demonstrated to be from 71% to 97% in egg samples and 71% to 95% in chicken samples. This method was compared with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay by testing 52 egg samples from the animal experiment, and compared with the high-performance liquid chromatographic method by testing 56 chicken samples, with an agreement rate of 100% for both comparisons, by using the maximum allowed residue of sulfadiazine (i.e. 100ng/g) as the cut-off level as set by the European Union and China. The accuracy of ICA was also confirmed in an initial study with marketed egg and chicken samples. In conclusion, the method is rapid and accurate for the detection of sulfadiazine in eggs and chickens.

Determining sulfamonomethoxine and its acetyl/hydroxyl metabolites in chicken plasma under organic solvent-free conditions

A quantitative technique is described for a sample preparation followed by high performance liquid chromatography method for the simultaneous determination of sulfamonomethoxine and its metabolites, N4-acetyl SMM and 2,6-dihydroxy SMM, in chicken plasma. The average recoveries, analytical total time, and limits of quantitation were >/=80% (relative standard deviations (SD) </=6%), <30 min sample-1 (12 samples in 2 h), and </=0.09 microg ml(-1), respectively. The procedure, performed under 100% aqueous conditions, uses no organic solvents and toxic reagents at all and is, therefore, harmless to the environment and humans.

Analysis of sulphonamide residues in edible animal products: A review

The methods of analysis for sulphonamide residues in edible animal products are reviewed. Sulphonamides are widely used for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes in both humans and animals, sometimes as growth promoters as additives in animal feed. As a result of their widespread use, there is concern about whether the levels used of these drugs can generate serious problems in human health, e.g., allergic or toxic reactions. Several methods for the determination of sulphonamides have been reported in the literature and this review considers high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS), gas chromatography (GC), thin-layer chromatography (TLC), high-performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE), enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA), biosensor immunoassay (BIA) and microbiological methods. Specific aspects of analysing sulphonamides, such as sample handling, chromatographic conditions and detection methods are discussed. Methods for drug residue monitoring should be accurate, simple, economical in both time and cost, and capable of detecting residues below the maximum residue limits (MRL). The current sulphonamide detection technologies are based on chromatographic methods or bacteriological growth inhibition. The instrumental methods such as HPLC and GC are both sensitive and specific, but are laborious and expensive. Because of the labour-intensive processes, only a few cases of GC methods applied to residue analysis have been published. These methods are suitable for confirmation but not for screening of large numbers of samples. Microbiological methods do not require highly specialized and expensive equipment. They also use highly homogeneous cell populations for testing and thus result in better assay precision. Although HPCE has powerful separation ability, the precision is poor and the instrument still needs to be improved. To date, this technique has not been widely applied to routine analysis. Currently, TLC has been almost replaced by other instrumental analysis. A rapid, sensitive and specific assay is required to detect positive samples in routine analysis, which can then be confirmed for the presence of sulphonamides by HPLC. Immunochemical methods such as ELISA can be simple, rapid and cost-effective, with enough sensitivity and specificity to detect small molecules. This review can be considered as a basis for further research aimed at identifying the most efficient approaches.

Sample preparation followed by HPLC under harmless 100% aqueous conditions for determination of oxytetracycline in milk and eggs

A simple and hazardous chemical-free method for the high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of oxytetracycline (OTC) residues in milk and eggs has been developed. Sample preparation consists in homogenization with an aqueous solution by means of a handheld ultrasonic homogenizer followed by centrifugal ultrafiltration. HPLC is performed with an isocratic aqueous mobile phase and a photodiode array detector. Average recoveries of OTC (0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 microg mL(-1) for milk; 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 microg mL(-1) for eggs) were > or =84% with relative standard deviations of < or =2.3%. The total time required for the analysis of one sample and LOQs were <30 min and <0.1 microg mL(-1), respectively. In all the processes, no organic solvents or hazardous reagents were used.

Application of shielded column liquid chromatography for determination of sulfamonomethoxine, sulfadimethoxine, and their N4-acetyl metabolites in milk

A hazardous-chemical free method for simultaneous determination of sulfamonomethoxine (SMM), sulfadimethoxine (SDM), and their N4-acetyl metabolites in raw milk using shielded column liquid chromatography is developed. The target analytes are extracted by mixing with ethanol-acetic acid (97:3, v/v) followed by centrifugation. The procedure uses a Hisep shielded hydrophobic phase (SHP) column, isocratic elution with 0.1% acetic acid solution (pH 3.1, in water)-ethanol (75:25, v/v), and a photo-diode array detector. Average recoveries from samples spiked at 25-500 ng/ml for each drug were >81% with relative standard deviations within 5%. The limits of quantitation were <25 ng/ml.