Multiclass, Multiresidue Method for the Quantification and Confirmation of 112 Veterinary Drugs in Game Meat (Bison, Deer, Elk, and Rabbit) by Rapid Polarity Switching Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry

An analytical program for multiclass, multiresidue residue analysis to qualitatively and quantitatively determine veterinary drug compounds in game meats by LC-MS/MS has been developed and validated. The method was validated for the analysis of muscle from bison, deer, elk, and rabbit to test for 112 veterinary drug residues from the following drug classes: β-agonists, anthelmintics, anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, fluoroquinolones, β-lactams, macrolides, nitroimidazoles, phenicols, polypeptides, sulfonamides, tetracyclines, thyreostats, and tranquilizers. Muscle was extracted using a simple and quick procedure based on a solvent extraction with 80% ACN/water and sample cleanup with dispersive solid-phase extraction. The compounds of interest were separated using a Waters HSS T3 column and detected by tandem mass spectrometry with rapid polarity switching to detect both negatively and positively charged ions in a single run. Recoveries were calculated using extracted matrix-matched calibration curves for each type of matrix. The average accuracy of fortified compounds ranged from 95.6 to 101% at the target quantitative validation level in the four matrices. The method was also validated as a qualitative screening method where all sample responses were compared with a single extracted matrix-matched calibrant at the target testing level (5 or 25 ng/g). Samples demonstrating a presumptive positive above the threshold value were re-extracted and analyzed with a five-point matrix-matching extracted calibration curve. Since the beginning of this survey program, 360 samples have been analyzed for veterinary drug residues in game meats. Antibiotic or tranquilizer residues have been identified in deer (chlortetracycline, haloperidol, and tulathromycin) and rabbit (sulfadiazine).

Analysis of peptide antibiotic residues in milk using liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS)

A liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) method was developed and validated for the determination of residual peptide antibiotics (bacitracin A, colistin A and B, enramycin A and B, virginiamycin M1 and S1) in bovine milk. LC-HRMS accurate mass data provided the necessary selectivity and sensitivity to quantitate and identify these important antibiotics in milk at residue levels without extensive sample preparation. Milk samples were extracted using 0.3% formic acid in acetonitrile with 0.06% trifluoroacetic acid added to improve peptide recoveries. Sample clean-up was minimal with an aliquot of the extract evaporated and reconstituted in a formic acid/water-acetonitrile mixture and then filtered. LC separation was performed with 0.3% formic acid in the gradient to improve the peak shape and reproducibility of the peptide analytes. A Quadruple-Orbitrap HRMS instrument with full-scan MS1 data collection followed by all-ion-fragmentation was used to obtain the exact mass of the precursor and confirmatory product ions. One advantage of LC-HRMS is that a combination of multiple precursor ions, including different charge states or adducts, can be used for quantification. The method was validated at four concentration levels ranging from 12.5 to 200 ng/g in three types of bovine milk. For bacitracin A, colistins and enramycins, the average recoveries compared to solvent standards ranged between 70% and 120%. Average recoveries for virginiamycin residues in milk extracts were unacceptably high (up to 138%) using solvent standards, but recoveries using matrix-matched calibration were determined to be 90-115%. Matrix effects were found to be less than 25% for the other analytes when internal standard correction was used for the colistins. Intra-day relative standard deviations were generally below 15%. The method detection limits for the peptide antibiotic residues in milk (0.5 to 5.5 ng/g) were well below regulatory levels of concern.

Comparison of data acquisition modes with Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry for targeted and non-targeted residue screening in aquacultured eel

RATIONALE

A current trend in monitoring chemical contaminants in animal products is to use high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). In this study, several HRMS data acquistion modes using Orbitrap MS for simultaneous full-scan MS in combination with MS2 analysis were evaulated for their effectiveness in detecting and identifying both targeted and non-targeted veterinary drug residues in aquacultured eel samples.

METHODS

Sample preparation consisted of an acidic acetonitrile extraction with solid-phase extraction cleanup for analysis using LC/HRMS. Different data acquisition methods, including full-scan MS with non-targeted all ion fragmentation (AIF), multiplexed or variable data-independent analysis (mDIA or vDIA), targeted data-dependent MS2 (DDMS2), and parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) acquisition, were explored. The methods were evaluated with fortified eel tissue and imported eel samples to determine how many analytes could be detected and identified.

RESULTS

For non-targeted data acquisition, the number of analytes detected using DIA methods matched the results obtained by AIF, but the resulting product ion scans were more diagnostic because characteristic ions were predominant in the DIA MS2 spectra. In targeted analysis for a limited list of 68 compounds, full-scan MS followed by PRM was advantageous compared with DDMS2 because high-quality MS2 spectra were generated for almost all the analytes at target testing levels.

CONCLUSIONS

For residue screening, AIF has fast MS1 scan speed with adequate detection of product ions but may lead to false positive findings. DIA methods are better suited to monitor for both targeted and non-targeted compounds because they generate more characteristic MS2 spectra for retrospective library searching. For follow-up targeted analysis, PRM is prefered over DDMS2 when searching for a limited set of compounds.

Liquid Chromatographic Determination ofMalachite Green and Leucomalachite Green (LMG) Residues in Salmon with in situ LMG Oxidation

A liquid chromatography (LC) method is presented for the quantitative determination of malachite green (MG) in salmon. MG and leucomalachite green (LMG) residues were extracted from salmon tissue with ammonium acetate buffer and acetonitrile, and then isolated by partitioning into dichloromethane. LMG was quantitatively oxidized to the chromic MG by reaction with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone. Samples were then cleaned up by solid-phase extraction with alumina and propylsulfonic acid phases. Extracts were analyzed for MG by LC with visible detection at 618 nm using isocratic elution and a C18 column. The method was validated in 35 farm-raised salmon (Salmo salar) tissues fortified at 1, 2, 4, and 10 ng/g (ppb) with an average recovery of 95.4% and a relative standard deviation of ±11.1%, and in 5 canned salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) samples fortified at 10 ng/g with an average recovery of 88.9 ± 2.6%. This study also included the determination of MG and LMG residues in tissues from salmon that had been treated with MG. MG was quantitatively determined at the method detection limit of 1 ng/g.

Determination and Confirmation of Malachite Green and Leucomalachite Green Residues in Salmon Using Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry with No-Discharge Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization

A liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) method was developed to quantitate and confirm residues of leucomalachite green (LMG) in salmon tissue after their conversion to chromic malachite green (MG) in the extraction process. The method uses no-discharge atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) in conjunction with an ion-trap instrument to generate product-ion spectra. In the sample preparation procedure, salmon tissue is extracted with acetonitrile/buffer, the LMG residue is partitioned into methylene chloride, the LMG is converted to MG using an organic oxidizing agent, and the MG is isolated on alumina/propylsulfonic acid solid-phase extraction cartridges. The method was validated by fortifying salmon with different levels of LMG, and then detecting the residue as MG. The LC/MS conditions, including a comparison of electrospray and no-discharge APCI, were evaluated and optimized. MG was not confirmed in any of the control tissue extracts, and all fortified samples analyzed during validation met the confirmation criteria as described. In addition to providing confirmatory data, this method can provide an alternative method for quantitation of MG in salmon. The recoveries of LMG, measured as MG by this LC/MS method, at fortification levels of 1–10 ng/g were very high (86–109%), with low relative standard deviation(RSD) values (6.4–13%). The results agreed very closely with those obtained for the same extracts using an LC/VIS procedure, indicating that matrix suppression was not an issue. The presence of LMG in salmon tissue samples fortified at 0.25 ng/g was confirmed by this method, with an average recovery of 70.1% and an RSD of 12.0%. Sample extracts from fish exposed to MG were also analyzed.

Extended liquid chromatography high resolution mass spectrometry screening method for veterinary drug, pesticide and human pharmaceutical residues in aquaculture fish

A liquid chromatography high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) screening method was developed previously to analyze for veterinary drug residues commonly found in different types of aquaculture products. This method has been further evaluated for its feasibility to detect several other classes of compounds that might also be a concern as possible contaminants in farmed tilapia, salmon, eel and shrimp. Some chemicals could contaminate water sources used in aquaculture production through agricultural run-off. These compounds include several widely used triazine herbicides, organophosphate and carbamate pesticides, as well as various discarded human pharmaceuticals. Other possible contaminants investigated were selected disinfectants, some newer antibiotics, growth promoters, and various parasiticides. The sample preparation consisted of an acidic acetonitrile extraction followed by solid-phase extraction clean-up. Data were collected with a quadrupole-Orbitrap MS using both non-targeted and targeted acquisition. This rapid clean-up procedure and HRMS detection method described previously for veterinary drug residues also worked well for many other types of compounds. Most analytes had screening limit levels between 0.5-10 ng/g in the matrices examined using exact mass identification criteria. The strategy described in this paper for testing the performance of additional analytes will help expand the applicability of the HRMS procedure as aquaculture samples can now be analyzed for a wider range of contaminants.

Fast analysis of caffeinated beverages using laser diode thermal desorption mass spectrometry (LDTD-MS/MS)

A rapid method for quantitative caffeine analysis in carbonated and non-carbonated beverages and liquid dietary supplement products was developed based on the direct sample introduction technique of laser diode thermal desorption atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation with tandem mass spectrometry (LDTD-MS/MS). Product samples were diluted with a mixture of methanol, water, and d₃-caffeine internal standard. Sample aliquots were filtered, spotted on a metal-lined LDTD microtitre plate, dried, and thermally desorbed for subsequent ionisation and analysis by MS/MS analysis. Each sample required a 6 s desorption, and sample-to-sample analysis time of less than 30 s per sample. Caffeine yielded a linear calibration curve over the range 0.5-100 μg mL^-1 (R² > 0.995). Caffeine recoveries from fortified samples ranged from 97% to 107% with <5% RSD. The caffeine determination was not affected by matrix interferences despite the large range of ingredients, vitamins, sweeteners, extracts, and additives present in the products tested, even though LDTD-MS/MS is a whole-sample desorption technique with no separation of matrix background. The method detection limit was below 0.12 μg mL^-1. The method was applied to 33 caffeinated products and LDTD-MS/MS quantitative results closely correlated (R² > 0.998) with the regulatory standard HPLC-UV method (AOAC Official Method 979.08).

Application and evaluation of a high-resolution mass spectrometry screening method for veterinary drug residues in incurred fish and imported aquaculture samples

The ability to detect chemical contaminants, including veterinary drug residues in animal products such as fish, is an important example of food safety analysis. In this paper, a liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) screening method using a quadrupole-Orbitrap instrument was applied to the analysis of veterinary drug residues in incurred tissues from aquacultured channel catfish, rainbow trout, and Atlantic salmon and imported aquacultured products including European eel, yellow croaker, and tilapia. Compared to traditional MS methods, the use of HRMS with nontargeted data acquisition and exact mass measurement capability greatly increased the scope of compounds that could be monitored simultaneously. The fish samples were prepared for analysis using a simple efficient procedure that consisted of an acidic acetonitrile extraction followed by solid phase extraction cleanup. Two different HRMS acquisition programs were used to analyze the fish extracts. This method detected and identified veterinary drugs including quinolones, fluoroquinolones, avermectins, dyes, and aminopenicillins at residue levels in fish that had been dosed with those compounds. A metabolite of amoxicillin, amoxicillin diketone, was also found at high levels in catfish, trout, and salmon. The method was also used to characterize drug residues in imported fish. In addition to confirming findings of fluoroquinolone and sulfonamide residues that were found by traditional targeted MS methods, several new compounds including 2-amino mebendazole in eel and ofloxacin in croaker were detected and identified. Graphical Abstract Aquacultured samples are analyzed with a high-resolution mass spectrometry screening method to detect and identify unusual veterinary drug residues including ofloxacin in an imported fish.

Wide-Scope Screening Method for Multiclass Veterinary Drug Residues in Fish, Shrimp, and Eel Using Liquid Chromatography-Quadrupole High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry

A screening method for veterinary drug residues in fish, shrimp, and eel using LC with a high-resolution MS instrument has been developed and validated. The method was optimized for over 70 test compounds representing a variety of veterinary drug classes. Tissues were extracted by vortex mixing with acetonitrile acidified with 2% acetic acid and 0.2% p-toluenesulfonic acid. A centrifuged portion of the extract was passed through a novel solid phase extraction cartridge designed to remove interfering matrix components from tissue extracts. The eluent was then evaporated and reconstituted for analysis. Data were collected with a quadrupole-Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometer using both nontargeted and targeted acquisition methods. Residues were detected on the basis of the exact mass of the precursor and a product ion along with isotope pattern and retention time matching. Semiquantitative data analysis compared MS¹ signal to a one-point extracted matrix standard at a target testing level. The test compounds were detected and identified in salmon, tilapia, catfish, shrimp, and eel extracts fortified at the target testing levels. Fish dosed with selected analytes and aquaculture samples previously found to contain residues were also analyzed. The screening method can be expanded to monitor for an additional >260 veterinary drugs on the basis of exact mass measurements and retention times.

Determination and Confirmation of the Antiviral Drug Amantadine and Its Analogues in Chicken Jerky Pet Treats

In this study, we investigated two methods for the detection of antiviral compounds in chicken jerky pet treats. Initially, a screening method developed to detect many different chemical contaminants indicated the presence of amantadine, 1, in some pet treats analyzed. A second antiviral-specific method was then developed for amantadine and its analogues, rimantadine, 2, and memantine, 3. Both methods used an acidic water/acetonitrile extraction. The antiviral-specific method also included a dispersive sorbent cleanup. Analytes were detected and identified by LC-MS (ion trap and Orbitrap) instruments. The antiviral-specific method was validated by analyzing matrix blanks and fortified samples (2.5-50 μg/kg levels). Average recoveries for amantadine (using a deuterated internal standard) in fortified samples ranged from 76 to 123% with relative standard deviations of ≤12%. Amantadine was detected and identified in suspect chicken jerky pet treat samples at levels ranging from <2.5 μg/kg to over 600 μg/kg. Rimantadine and memantine were not detected in any samples.

Expansion of the Scope of AOAC First Action Method 2012.25--Single-Laboratory Validation of Triphenylmethane Dye and Leuco Metabolite Analysis in Shrimp, Tilapia, Catfish, and Salmon by LC-MS/MS

Prior to conducting a collaborative study of AOAC First Action 2012.25 LC-MS/MS analytical method for the determination of residues of three triphenylmethane dyes (malachite green, crystal violet, and brilliant green) and their metabolites (leucomalachite green and leucocrystal violet) in seafood, a single-laboratory validation of method 2012.25 was performed to expand the scope of the method to other seafood matrixes including salmon, catfish, tilapia, and shrimp. The validation included the analysis of fortified and incurred residues over multiple weeks to assess analyte stability in matrix at -80°C, a comparison of calibration methods over the range 0.25 to 4 μg/kg, study of matrix effects for analyte quantification, and qualitative identification of targeted analytes. Method accuracy ranged from 88 to 112% with 13% RSD or less for samples fortified at 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 μg/kg. Analyte identification and determination limits were determined by procedures recommended both by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Commission. Method detection limits and decision limits ranged from 0.05 to 0.24 μg/kg and 0.08 to 0.54 μg/kg, respectively. AOAC First Action Method 2012.25 with an extracted matrix calibration curve and internal standard correction is suitable for the determination of triphenylmethane dyes and leuco metabolites in salmon, catfish, tilapia, and shrimp by LC-MS/MS at a residue determination level of 0.5 μg/kg or below.

Determination of Triphenylmethane Dyes and Their Metabolites in Salmon, Catfish, and Shrimp by LC-MS/MS Using AOAC First Action Method 2012.25: Collaborative Study

A collaborative study was conducted to evaluate the AOAC First Action 2012.25 LC-MS/MS analytical method for the determination of residues of three triphenylmethane dyes (malachite green, crystal violet, and brilliant green) and their metabolites (leucomalachite green and leucocrystal violet) in seafood. Fourteen laboratories from the United States, Canada, and the European Union member states participated in the study including national and state regulatory laboratories, university and national research laboratories, and private analytical testing laboratories. A variety of LC-MS/MS instruments were used for the analysis. Each participating laboratory received blinded test samples in duplicate of salmon, catfish, and shrimp consisting of negative control matrix; matrix fortified with residues at 0.42, 0.90, and 1.75 μg/kg; and samples of incurred matrix. The analytical results from each participating laboratory were evaluated for both quantitative residue determination and qualitative identification of targeted analytes. Results from statistical analysis showed that this method provided excellent trueness (generally ≥90% recovery) and precision (RSDr generally ≤10%, HorRat<1). The Study Directors recommend Method 2012.25 for Final Action status.

Application of single-stage Orbitrap mass spectrometry and differential analysis software to nontargeted analysis of contaminants in dog food: detection, identification, and quantification of glycoalkaloids

The objective of this study was to perform a preliminary investigation of the nontargeted search and quantitative capabilities of a single-stage Exactive High-Resolution Mass Spectrometer (HRMS). To do this, the instrument and its associated software performed a non-targeted search for deleterious substances in a dog food sample suspected of causing gastrointestinal problems in dogs. A single-stage Orbitrap/high-performance liquid chromatography method and differential expression analysis software (Sieve) was used to detect and identify, and subsequently quantify, nontargeted compounds occurring only in the suspect dog food sample. When combined with an online database (ChemSpider), a preliminary identification of one of the nontargeted compounds was determined to be potato glycoalkaloids. The diagnostic product ion ratios and quantitative data accuracy generated by the single-stage Orbitrap MS were shown to be similar to results obtained using a triple quadrupole LC-MS/MS. Additionally, the ability of the single-stage Orbitrap instrument to provide precursor and product ion accurate masses and isotope patterns was also investigated.

A rapid liquid chromatography determination of free formaldehyde in cod

A rapid method for the determination of free formaldehyde in cod is described. It uses a simple water extraction of formaldehyde which is then derivatised with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) to form a sensitive and specific chromophore for high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) detection. Although this formaldehyde derivative has been widely used in past tissue analysis, this paper describes an improved derivatisation procedure. The formation of the DNPH formaldehyde derivative has been shortened to 2 min and a stabilising buffer has been added to the derivative to increase its stability. The average recovery of free formaldehyde in spiked cod was 63% with an RSD of 15% over the range of 25-200 mg kg(-1) (n = 48). The HPLC procedure described here was also compared to a commercial qualitative procedure - a swab test for the determination of free formaldehyde in fish. Several positive samples were compared by both methods.

Challenges in implementing a screening method for veterinary drugs in milk using liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry

High resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) is a valuable tool for the analysis of chemical contaminants in food. Our laboratory has successfully developed methods to screen for veterinary drug residues using liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight (Q-TOF). There have been, however, significant challenges as methods are transferred from the development stage to routine regulatory analysis. Having experimental retention time and product ion information for analytes greatly facilitates the ability to determine if residues found by the HRMS searching software are false detects. These data were collected for over 200 veterinary drug residues using LC Q-TOF MS. The screening levels of detection for over 150 veterinary drug residues in milk were determined, and over half of those tested can be detected at concentrations of 10 ng/mL or less; 72% can be found in milk when present at 100 ng/mL. Tentative identification of the product ions from these analytes is also presented.

Analysis of stilbene residues in aquacultured finfish using LC-MS/MS

This analytical method was developed for the determination of three stilbene residues, diethylstilbestrol (DES), dienestrol (DEN), and hexestrol (HEX), in edible tissues of finfish including catfish, salmon, trout, and tilapia. Fortified fish samples were extracted with acetonitrile and further cleaned up using silica solid phase extraction columns. Stilbene residues were separated from matrix components by reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography on a C8 column and analyzed using a tandem mass spectrometer with negative electrospray ionization. The overall average residue recoveries using post-fortified matrix-matched calibrants were 119, 99, and 104% with %RSDs of 18, 11, and 15% for DEN, DES, and HEX, respectively. Method detection limits of DEN, DES, and HEX in each matrix were found to be at or below 0.21 ng/g, and the limit of quantification averaged 0.3 ng/g and ranged from 0.18 to 0.65 ng/g for all analytes in all matrices.

Laser diode thermal desorption mass spectrometry for the analysis of quinolone antibiotic residues in aquacultured seafood

RATIONALE

Veterinary drug residue analysis of meat and seafood products is an important part of national regulatory agency food safety programs to ensure that consumers are not exposed to potentially dangerous substances. Complex tissue matrices often require lengthy extraction and analysis procedures to identify improper animal drug treatment. Direct and rapid analysis mass spectrometry techniques have the potential to increase regulatory sample analysis speed by eliminating liquid chromatographic separation.

METHODS

Flumequine, oxolinic acid, and nalidixic acid were extracted from catfish, shrimp, and salmon using acidified acetonitrile. Extracts were concentrated, dried onto metal sample wells, then rapidly desorbed (6 s) with an infrared diode laser for analysis by laser diode thermal desorption atmospheric pressure chemical ionization with tandem mass spectrometry (LDTD-MS/MS). Analysis was conducted in selected reaction monitoring mode using piromidic acid as internal standard.

RESULTS

Six-point calibration curves for each compound in extracted matrix were linear with r(2) correlation greater than 0.99. The method was validated by analyzing 23 negative samples and 116 fortified samples at concentrations of 10, 20, 50, 100, and 600 ng/g. Average recoveries of fortified samples were greater than 77% with method detection levels ranging from 2 to 7 /g. Three product ion transitions were acquired per analyte to identify each residue.

CONCLUSIONS

A rapid method for quinolone analysis in fish muscle was developed using LDTD-MS/MS. The total analysis time was less than 30 s per sample; quinolone residues were detected below 10 ng/g and in most cases residue identity was confirmed. This represents the first application of LDTD to tissue extract analysis. Published 2012. This article is a US Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

Bioaccumulation of melamine in catfish muscle following continuous, low-dose, oral administration

In this study, catfish muscle was analyzed for melamine (MEL) and cyanuric acid (CYA) residues following experimental feeding with low doses of MEL and MEL and CYA (MEL+CYA) and with the insoluble melamine-cyanurate complex (MEL=CYA). Catfish were daily fed 0.1 mg/kg BW of MEL for 15, 28, or 42 days, 0.1 mg/kg BW of MEL+CYA for 28 days, 2.5 mg/kg BW of MEL+CYA for 14 days, or 400 mg/kg BW of MEL=CYA for 3 days. Residues in the tissue were determined by LC-MS/MS. MEL was extracted with acidic acetonitrile, followed by defatting with dichloromethane, and isolated with cation exchange solid phase extraction (SPE). For CYA analysis, fish were extracted with dilute acetic acid, defatted with hexane, and cleaned up with a graphitic carbon SPE. Catfish fed 0.1 mg/kg BW of MEL reached a maximum muscle residue concentration of 0.33 ± 0.04 mg/kg (ppm) after 28 days of continuous feeding. The same concentration was found for MEL+CYA feeding at the 0.1 mg/kg BW level for 28 days. Feeding at 2.5 mg/kg BW of MEL+CYA yielded muscle concentrations above the 2.5 mg/kg level of concern for most of the study fish. Finally, catfish fed high levels of the MEL=CYA complex (400 mg/kg BW) accumulated relatively little MEL in the muscle (0.14 ± 0.07 mg/kg) and, unlike treatment with MEL+CYA, did not form renal melamine-cyanurate crystals. Appreciable concentrations of CYA were not detected in any of the muscles tested. These studies provide data to model the bioaccumulation of triazine residues into edible fish tissue as a result of the continuous consumption of adulterated feed.

Determination and confirmation of melamine residues in catfish, trout, tilapia, salmon, and shrimp by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

Pet and food animal (hogs, chicken, and fish) feeds were recently found to be contaminated with melamine (MEL). A quantitative and confirmatory method is presented to determine MEL residues in edible tissues from fish fed this contaminant. Edible tissues were extracted with acidic acetonitrile, defatted with dichloromethane, and cleaned up using mixed-mode cation exchange solid-phase extraction cartridges. Extracts were analyzed by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry with hydrophilic interaction chromatography and electrospray ionization in positive ion mode. Fish and shrimp tissues were fortified with 10-500 microg/kg (ppb) of MEL with an average recovery of 63.8% (21.5% relative standard deviation, n = 121). Incurred fish tissues were generated by feeding fish up to 400 mg/kg of MEL or a combination of MEL and the related triazine cyanuric acid (CYA). MEL and CYA are known to form an insoluble complex in the kidneys, which may lead to renal failure. Fifty-five treated catfish, trout, tilapia, and salmon were analyzed after withdrawal times of 1-14 days. MEL residues were found in edible tissues from all of the fish with concentrations ranging from 0.011 to 210 mg/kg (ppm). Incurred shrimp and a survey of market seafood products were also analyzed as part of this study.

Multi-class, multi-residue liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry screening and confirmation methods for drug residues in milk

This paper describes the development and optimization of a multi-residue veterinary drug screening method for whole milk. The drug residues of regulatory interest in milk include beta-lactams, sulfonamides, tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, and macrolides. Milk samples were extracted with acetonitrile and the samples were then subjected to a clean-up procedure using a bonded solid-phase extraction cartridge and a molecular weight cut-off filter. Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) triple quadrupole electrospray methods were developed to monitor for the drugs in milk. Since established tolerance levels are set for most of these drugs in milk, the initial screening procedure was semi-quantitative, where samples were compared to the response of a positive control. The positive control, consisting of an extract from a portion of milk fortified with the drugs at half their allowed levels, was used to set the laboratory's minimum response criteria for unknown samples. Confirmatory analyses, with additional ion transitions for each residue, were performed on the same extracts.

Determination of quinolone residues in shrimp using liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection and residue confirmation by mass spectrometry

The quinolones, oxolinic acid (OXO), flumequine (FLU), and nalidixic acid (NAL), are antibacterial drugs effective against gram-negative bacteria. Quinolones are used in both human and veterinary medicine, but are currently not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in food fish. A liquid chromatography-fluorescence (LC-FL) method was developed to determine OXO, FLU, and NAL residues in shrimp. An additional liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS(n)) method was created to confirm these residues using the same sample extract. Samples were prepared with a simple ethyl acetate extraction followed by solvent exchange into 0.2% formic acid and cleaned-up with hexane. Reverse phase chromatography was used to separate the three compounds in both procedures. For the LC-FL determinative method, fluorescence emission was monitored at 369 nm with excitation at 327 nm. With electrospray ionization, the three most abundant ions from the MS3 product ion spectrum were used to identify OXO, FLU, and NAL in the confirmation procedure. Shrimp samples fortified at levels ranging from 7.5 to 100 ng g(-1) were used to validate both methods.

Confirmation of diminazene diaceturate in bovine plasma using electrospray liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

Diminazene diaceturate is used as a trypanocide for cattle in tropical regions. This paper describes a LC-MS(n) method to confirm the presence of diminazene in bovine plasma. Bound diminazene in plasma samples was freed with dilute phosphoric acid, then concentrated on a bonded C(18) SPE cartridge. The LC-MS(n) method utilized electrospray ionization coupled with an ion trap mass spectrometer. Ions observed in MS(2) and MS(3) product ion spectra, as well as those from the MS(1) spectrum, were monitored. The method was validated with plasma samples fortified with diminazene diaceturate (4-100ng/mL). Diminazene was confirmed in samples fortified with diminazene diaceturate at levels of 6.4ng/mL or higher.

Quantitative and confirmatory analyses of malachite green and leucomalachite green residues in fish and shrimp

Liquid chromatographic methods are presented for the quantitative and confirmatory determination of malachite green (MG) and leucomalachite green (LMG) for channel catfish, rainbow trout, tilapia, basa, Atlantic salmon, and tiger shrimp. Residues were extracted from tissues with ammonium acetate buffer and acetonitrile and isolated by partitioning into dichloromethane. LMG was quantitatively oxidized to the chromic MG with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone. Extracts were analyzed for total MG by liquid chromatography with both visible detection (LC-VIS) at 618 nm for routine screening and ion trap mass spectrometry (LC-MSn) with no discharge-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization for residue confirmation. The method was validated in each species fortified with LMG at 1, 2, 4, and 10 ng/g (ppb), and average recoveries ranged from 85.9 to 93.9%. Quantitative data were consistent for the two detection methods, with measured method detection limits of 1.0 ng/g for LC-VIS and 0.25 ng/g for LC-MSn. Incurred tissues from catfish, trout, tilapia, and salmon that had been treated with MG were also extracted and analyzed as part of this study.

No-discharge atmospheric pressure chemical ionization: evaluation and application to the analysis of animal drug residues in complex matrices

Alternative ionization methods are increasingly being utilized to increase the versatility and selectivity of liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS). One such technique is the practice of using commercially available atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) sources with the corona discharge turned off, a process termed no-discharge APCI (ND-APCI). The relative LC/MS responses for several different classes of veterinary drugs were obtained by using ND-APCI, electrospray ionization (ESI), and APCI. While the ND-APCI-MS and -MSn spectra for these compounds were comparable with ESI, ND-APCI provided advantages in sensitivity and selectivity for some compounds. Drugs that were charged in solution as cations or sodium adducts responded particularly well with this technique. Instrumental parameters such as temperatures, gas and liquid flow rates, and source design were investigated to determine their effect on the process of ND-APCI. This paper explores advantages of using ND-APCI for the determination and confirmation of drug residues that might be found in food matrices, including malachite green residues in fish tissue and avermectin residues in milk.

Determination and confirmation of malachite green and leucomalachite green residues in salmon using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry with no-discharge atmospheric pressure chemical ionization

A liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) method was developed to quantitate and confirm residues of leucomalachite green (LMG) in salmon tissue after their conversion to chromic malachite green (MG) in the extraction process. The method uses no-discharge atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) in conjunction with an ion-trap instrument to generate product-ion spectra. In the sample preparation procedure, salmon tissue is extracted with acetonitrile/buffer, the LMG residue is partitioned into methylene chloride, the LMG is converted to MG using an organic oxidizing agent, and the MG is isolated on alumina/propylsulfonic acid solid-phase extraction cartridges. The method was validated by fortifying salmon with different levels of LMG, and then detecting the residue as MG The LC/MS conditions, including a comparison of electrospray and no-discharge APCI, were evaluated and optimized. MG was not confirmed in any of the control tissue extracts, and all fortified samples analyzed during validation met the confirmation criteria as described. In addition to providing confirmatory data, this method can provide an alternative method for quantitation of MG in salmon. The recoveries of LMG measured as MG by this LC/MS method, at fortification levels of 1-10 ng/g were very high (86-109%), with low relative standard deviation(RSD) values (6.4-13%). The results agreed very closely with those obtained for the same extracts using an LCNIS procedure, indicating that matrix suppression was not an issue. The presence of LMG in salmon tissue samples fortified at 0.25 ng/g was confirmed by this method, with an average recovery of 70.1% and an RSD of 12.0%. Sample extracts from fish exposed to MG were also analyzed.

Liquid chromatographic determination of malachite green and leucomalachite green (LMG) residues in salmon with in situ LMG oxidation

A liquid chromatography (LC) method is presented for the quantitative determination of malachite green (MG) in salmon. MG and leucomalachite green (LMG) residues were extracted from salmon tissue with ammonium acetate buffer and acetonitrile, and then isolated by partitioning into dichloromethane. LMG was quantitatively oxidized to the chromic MG by reaction with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone. Samples were then cleaned up by solid-phase extraction with alumina and propylsulfonic acid phases. Extracts were analyzed for MG by LC with visible detection at 618 nm using isocratic elution and a C18 column. The method was validated in 35 farm-raised salmon (Salmo salar) tissues fortified at 1, 2, 4, and 10 ng/g (ppb) with an average recovery of 95.4% and a relative standard deviation of +/- 11.1%, and in 5 canned salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) samples fortified at 10 ng/g with an average recovery of 88.9 +/- 2.6%. This study also included the determination of MG and LMG residues in tissues from salmon that had been treated with MG MG was quantitatively determined at the method detection limit of 1 ng/g.

Parietal lobe abscess after routine periodontal recall therapy. Report of a case

This paper reports on a case of a 70-year-old physician diagnosed with a parietal lobe abscess following such treatment. After stereotactic biopsy and drainage and a 6-week course of intravenous antibiotic treatment, the patient recovered with minimal neurologic deficits. Although brain abscesses are not commonly encountered in practice, clinicians must be aware of the potential virulence of the anaerobic components of the periodontal pocket and the possibility of resulting systemic infection, which can produce a life-threatening situation.