Development and Validation of a Hybrid Screening and Quantitative Method for the Analysis of Eight Classes of Therapeutants in Aquaculture Products by Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

A method using reverse-phase ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry is described for eight classes of therapeutants that are used in marine aquaculture products. Validation studies to evaluate recovery, precision, method detection limits, and measurement uncertainty were performed at three levels, using three representative matrices [salmon (fatty fish), tilapia (lean fish), and shrimp (crustaceans)] to assess the method performance for use as a screening or determinative (quantitative and confirmatory) method. A total of 16 sulfonamides (plus 2 potentiators), 2 tetracyclines, 11 (fluoro)quinolones, 7 nitroimidazoles, 3 amphenicols, 5 steroids, and 3 stilbenes met the quantitative criteria for method validation. An additional 5 triphenylmethane dyes, 2 sulfonamides, 2 tetracyclines, and 1 amphenicol met the required performance for use as a screening method. Limits of detection (LODs) for the compounds that met the quantitative criteria ranged from 0.1 to 5 µg/kg, while LODs for compounds from the screening group ranged from 0.1 to 30 µg/kg. This method provides a comprehensive approach to the determination of different classes of compounds in aquaculture products.

Simultaneous determination of 17 sulfonamides and the potentiators ormetoprim and trimethoprim in salmon muscle by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry detection.

A simple, robust method using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) for the simultaneous determination of 17 sulfonamides [sulfanilamide (SNL), sulfacetamide (SAA), sulfaguanidine (SGD), sulfapyridine (SPY), sulfadiazine (SDZ), sulfathiazole (STZ), sulfamerazine (SMR), sulfamethoxazole (SOZ), sulfamoxole (SXL), sulfisoxazole (SXZ), sulfamethizole (SML), sulfamethazine (SMZ), sulfamethoxypyridazine (SMP), sulfamonomethoxine (SMM), sulfachloropyridazine (SCP), sulfaquinoxaline (SQX), and sulfadimethoxine (SDM)] and 2 potentiators [ormetoprim (OMP) and trimethoprim (TMP)] in fish tissue has been developed. The analytes were extracted from homogenized fish tissue with water-acetonitrile (50 + 50). The extract was clarified by centrifugation and a portion defatted with hexane. The analytes were partitioned into chloroform and evaporated to dryness. The redissolved residue was applied to a C18 reversed-phase column with a water-acetonitrile (0.1% acetic acid) gradient. All of the compounds were completely separated and detected in <10 min at 30 degrees C using LC/MS/MS. Standard curves were linear over the range of 0.02 to 5 ng injected. The limit of detection varied from 0.1 ng/g for SMZ and OMP to 0.9 ng/g for SXL and SOZ. Recoveries varied from 100% for SDM, SOZ, and SQX and 85% for SMR, OMP, and TMP to approximately 30% for SAA. Relative standard deviations for repeat analysis varied from 4% for SMZ and SCP to 23% for SAA.

Determination of malachite green and leucomalachite green in a variety of aquacultured products by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry detection.

A liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method was developed for determining the residues of malachite green (MG) and leucomalachite green (LMG) in a number of aquatic species. MG and its metabolite were extracted from homogenized tissues with a perchloric acid-acetonitrile solution; the extract was centrifuged; and an aliquot was taken, concentrated, and passed through a chemically bonded octadecyl C18 solid-phase extraction column. The compounds of interest were eluted with acetonitrile, and the eluate was evaporated to dryness. The residue was dissolved in acetonitrile and diluted with water in preparation for analysis by LC/MS/MS. MG and its metabolite were determined by reversed-phase LC using a Luna C18 column with an ammonium hydroxide-formic acid buffer in acetonitrile gradient and MS/MS detection using multiple reaction monitoring. Calibration curves were linear for all analyses between 5 and 500 pg injected for both analytes, with recoveries ranging from 81% for LMG to 98% for MG in salmon spiked at the 1 ng/g level. Detection limits of 0.1 ng/g for both MG and LMG were easily obtainable using the recommended method. The operational errors, interferences, and recoveries for spiked samples compared favorably with those obtained by established methodology. The recommended method is simple, rapid, and specific for monitoring residues of MG and LMG in a number of aquatic species.

Simultaneous determination of residues of chloramphenicol, thiamphenicol, florfenicol, and florfenicol amine in farmed aquatic species by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry.

A liquid chromatographic (LC)/mass spectrometric (MS) method was developed for determining the residues of chloramphenicol, thiamphenicol, florfenicol, and florfenicol amine in a number of aquatic species. The phenicols are extracted with acetone, the extracts are partitioned with dichloromethane, the aqueous layer is removed, and the organic layer is evaporated to dryness. The residue is dissolved in dilute acid and defatted with hexane, and the aqueous layer is prepared for analysis by LC. The phenicols are determined by reversed-phase LC by using a Hypersil C18-BD column with a water-acetonitrile gradient and MS detection using selected-ion recording. Calibration curves were linear for all analytes between 0.015 and 0.425 ng injected. The relative standard deviations for measurements by the proposed method were < 10% for all of the analytes studied, with recoveries ranging from 71% for florfenicol amine to 107% for florfenicol in salmon tissue spiked at the 2 ng/g level. Detection limits of 0.1 ng/g for florfenicol and chloramphenicol, 0.3 ng/g for thiamphenicol, and 1.0 ng/g for florfenicol amine are easily obtainable. The operational errors, interferences, and recoveries for spiked samples compare favorably with those obtained by established LC methodology. The proposed method is simple, rapid, and specific for monitoring residues of chloramphenicol, thiamphenicol, florfenicol, and florfenicol amine in a number of aquatic species.