Monoclonal antibody-mediated clean-up procedure for the high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of chloramphenicol in milk and eggs

Immunoaffinity solid-phase extraction for the trace-analysis of low-molecular-mass analytes in complex sample matrices

Immunoaffinity solid-phase extraction (SPE) sorbents, so-called immunosorbents (ISs), are based upon molecular recognition using antibodies. Thanks to the high affinity and high selectivity of the antigen-antibody interaction, they allow a high degree of molecular selectivity and have shown to be a unique tool in the sample preparation area these last few years. Extraction and clean-up of complex biological and environmental aqueous samples are achieved in the same step and from large volumes when required. Their application to extracts from solid matrixes is solvent-free and more simple than any other clean-up procedure. Single analytes can be targeted, but since an antibody can also bind one or more analytes having structure similar to the one used for its preparation, ISs have been developed for targeting a single analyte and its metabolites. The cross-reactivity was also exploited for developing ISs that could selectively extract a whole class of structurally related compounds. This review describes the current technology used for the synthesis of the ISs, their properties and their field of application. The different parameters governing the antigen-antibody interactions and the solid-phase extraction process are discussed. Emphasis is given to the optimisation of the SPE sequence, especially to the desorption and regeneration steps. The importance of the capacity and its relationship with the analytes recovery and breakthrough volumes is highlighted for class-specific ISs. Multi-class-selective ISs are also presented. Validation studies are reviewed using various certified reference materials. Relevant examples, involving combination with chromatography in both off-line and on-line mode, illustrate the high selectivity provided in various complex matrixes. Miniaturisation is also described, since it allows high throughput of samples.

Aspects of extraction, spiking and distribution in the determination of incurred residues of chloramphenicol in animal tissues

Studies of distribution, extraction procedures and spiking protocols in the determination of incurred chloramphenicol residues in animal tissues have been carried out. An extraction procedure involving glucuronidase enzyme digestion was found to extract 10 times more incurred chloramphenicol from pig kidney than direct extraction without digestion. However, neither protease digestion nor ultrasonic probe treatment resulted in improved chloramphenicol extraction. Chloramphenicol was found to be inhomogeneously distributed within kidney from a treated pig. Highest concentrations were detected in the renal medulla. Muscle tissues from the same animal were found to contain a lower concentration of chloramphenicol residues, but no chloramphenicol residues were detectable in the liver. Chloramphenicol recovery from spiked pig liver was found to be lower than that from kidney, but was improved by the addition of piperonyl butoxide before extraction. This additive had no effect on recovery from spiked pig or cattle kidney. The implications of these results for regulatory surveillance of animal tissue for chloramphenicol residues are discussed.