Liquid chromatographic determination and identification of morantel-related residues as precursors of 3-(3-methyl-2-thienyl) acrylic acid (CP-20,107) in bovine milk

A simple liquid chromatographic (LC) method was developed to determine and identify incurred morantel-related residues in bovine milk by converting them to 3-(3-methyl-2-thienyl) acrylic acid (CP-20, 107). Key techniques in this method involve short-term digestion of milk in HCl to release residues convertible to CP-20, 107, isolation and alkaline hydrolysis of these precursors to CP-20, 107, and recovery of the product for LC analysis. Photochemical conversion of CP-20, 107 to its cis-isomer and separation by LC identifies the residue. A homolog (pyrantel), which is used as an internal standard, is hydrolyzed to 3-(2-thienyl) acrylic acid. These acrylic acid isomers are readily resolved by LC. The method was evaluated over the 1-4 ppb (ng/mL) range for accuracy and precision to assess its utility for withdrawal studies. Bovine milk supplemented with morantel at 1, 2, and 4 ppb and assayed in replicate (n = 7-8) over 4 trials gave mean values and standard deviations of 1.0 +/- 0.11, 2.0 +/- 0.24, and 4.0 +/- 0.44 ppb, respectively. A milk specimen containing physiologically incurred residues of morantel assayed 2.1 +/- 0.19 ppb in replicate (n = 5).     

The determination of semicarbazide (N-aminourea) in commercial bread products by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

Recently, semicarbazide has been found in food in jars sealed with cap liners that were manufactured using azodicarbonamide as a blowing agent. These reports raised the concern that the use of azodicarbonamide-an approved dough conditioner-may result in semicarbazide residues in bread. To answer this question, a method based upon the previously reported liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry determination of the semicarbazone of o-nitrobenzaldehyde was utilized. The method adopted for this work includes an extensive cleanup and reaction with o-nitrobenzaldehyde at pH 3.5, rather than with the widely used 0.1 M HCl, to form the semicarbazone derivative. A stable isotope dilution assay was used to determine the free semicarbazide present in the bread products. Levels of semicarbazide ranged from 10 to 1200 ppb in commercial bread products with azodicarbonamide listed among their ingredients.     

Analysis of piperazine drug formulations for N-nitrosamines

A quantitative method is described for the measurement of N-mononitrosopiperazine (NPIP) and N,N'-dinitrosopiperazine (DNPIP) in drug formulations containing piperazine, using a gas chromatograph interfaced to a thermal energy analyzer (GC/TEA). The method has detection limits of 20 ppb for NPIP and 12 ppb for DNPIP. In a survey of 6 products available on the Canadian market, all contained NPIP at levels of 0.38-15.3 micrograms NPIP/g piperazine and none contained any detectable amount of DNPIP.     

Determination of melengestrol acetate in feedstuffs with liquid chromatographic preparatory column cleanup and quantitative analysis

Melengestrol acetate (MGA) is determined by liquid chromatography using a fraction from preparatory LC as a means of sample cleanup for feedstuffs, both dry and liquid. Dry ground feed is Soxhlet extracted with hexane and passed through a 2% deactivated alumina column for initial cleanup. The eluate is evaporated, redissolved in methanol, filtered, and injected onto a preparatory LC column. The fraction containing MGA is separated from the remaining matrix, evaporated to dryness, dissolved in methanol, and quantitated by LC analysis. Liquid supplements are extracted in methanol, and the extract is evaporated to near dryness. The residue is diluted with water, extracted with chloroform, passed through sodium sulfate, and evaporated to dryness. The remaining sample is dissolved in methanol prior to preparative LC and quantitative LC. Recoveries for 2 laboratory-fortified commercial feeds, one dry and one liquid, containing 0.39 and 0.40 mg/lb, were 98.3% +/- 4.4 and 95.8% +/- 4.3, respectively. Results compare favorably with existing methods. Up to a 4-fold time savings was realized by this method without automation.     

Development of multiclass methods for drug residues in eggs: hydrophilic solid-phase extraction cleanup and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry analysis of tetracycline, fluoroquinolone, sulfonamide, and beta-lactam residues

A method was developed for detection of a variety of polar drug residues in eggs via liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) with electrospray ionization (ESI). A total of twenty-nine target analytes from four drug classes-sulfonamides, tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, and beta-lactams-were extracted from eggs using a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance polymer solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridge. The extraction technique was developed for use at a target concentration of 100 ng/mL (ppb), and it was applied to eggs containing incurred residues from dosed laying hens. The ESI source was tuned using a single, generic set of tuning parameters, and analytes were separated with a phenyl-bonded silica cartridge column using an LC gradient. In a related study, residues of beta-lactam drugs were not found by LC/MS/MS in eggs from hens dosed orally with beta-lactam drugs. LC/MS/MS performance was evaluated on two generations of ion trap mass spectrometers, and key operational parameters were identified for each instrument. The ion trap acquisition methods could be set up for screening (a single product ion) or confirmation (multiple product ions). The lower limit of detection for screening purposes was 10-50 ppb (sulfonamides), 10-20 ppb (fluoroquinolones), and 10-50 ppb (tetracyclines), depending on the drug, instrument, and acquisition method. Development of this method demonstrates the feasibility of generic SPE, LC, and MS conditions for multiclass LC/MS residue screening.     

Rapid reverse phase liquid chromatographic determination of aflatoxin M1 in milk

A rapid, economical, and reliable liquid chromatographic (LC) method is described for determination of aflatoxin M1 in milk. The method includes an improved AOAC extraction procedure, cleanup of the extract on a silica cartridge, and LC quantitation. Alternatively, a rapid column cleanup procedure can be used. Milk artificially spiked with aflatoxin M1 at 0.05, 0.1, and 0.5 ppb was analyzed using both new approaches as well as an AOAC method coupled with LC for quantitation of the toxin. Recovery of aflatoxin M1 by the first approach of the new method ranged between 93.4 and 99.1%, and for the alternative procedure between 92.4 and 96.8%. The AOAC method gave lower recovery (85.6-90.7%) of toxin, but the results from this method had a somewhat smaller standard deviation for replicate analyses than did results of the new method.     

Ion-pair reverse-phase liquid chromatographic determination of amprolium in complete feeds and premixes

Amprolium is extracted with methanol-water (2 + 1) containing 5mM dioctylsulfosuccinate (DOSS) and 10mM CaCl2. The analyte is separated from coextracted materials by isocratic ion-pair reverse-phase liquid chromatography, following removal of late-eluting materials on an acid alumina cleanup column, and is detected at 270 nm. The mobile phase contains 4mM DOSS with 0.3% diethylamine and 1% acetic acid in 40% acetonitrile. Linearity is satisfactory over the range of 2.5-50 micrograms/mL. Mean recovery, as determined by standard addition to commercial samples, is 100.1%. Accuracy was further tested in studies comparing the LC method to the official AOAC colorimetric method, using commercial samples, and was found to be satisfactory. Studies show that common poultry feed additives, grass meals, and some pelletization aids do not interfere with the analysis; however, when bentonite is present, recovery is decreased. The precision of the method, measured over several experiments on commercial samples, is satisfactory as indicated by coefficients of variation ranging from less than 1 to 4.5. A ruggedness test resulted in an overall CV of 3.2%, indicating the probable success of the method in a collaborative study.     

Gas-liquid chromatographic determination of 3,6-dichloropicolinic acid in soils.

A gas-liquid chromatographic (GLC) method has been developed for the determination of the experimental herbicide 3,6-dichloropicolinic acid (Dowco 290) in soils. The method involves extraction of 1 g soil samples with 1N NaCl at approximately pH 7, methylation with diazomethane utilizing a microgenerator, and detection by electron capture GLC. Interferences are small, so that a cleanup step is not necessary even at the 6 ppb level. The procedure is rapid, requiring only 45 min/sample. Recoveries range from 84 to 94% at the 6-1000 ppb level with a minimum detectable limit of 6 ppb. Standard deviations for the percentage recovery values vary from 10.9 to 2.3 for the tested range of 6.7-670 ppb, respectively.     

Rugged LC-MS/MS survey analysis for acrylamide in foods

The described liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the detection of acrylamide in food entails aqueous room temperature extraction, SPE cleanup, and analysis by LC-MS/MS. The method is applicable to a wide variety of foods. [(13)C(3)]acrylamide is the internal standard. The limit of quantitation is 10 ppb (microg/kg). Data were obtained in duplicate from >450 products representing >35 different food types. The variability in analyte levels in certain food types suggests that it may be possible to reduce acrylamide levels in those foods.     

LC/TIS-MS fingerprint profiling of Cimicifuga species and analysis of 23-Epi-26-deoxyactein in Cimicifuga racemosa commercial products

In this study, a liquid chromatography (LC)/turbo ion spray (TIS)-mass spectrometry (MS) method was developed to examine the chromatography or "fingerprint profile" of seven Cimicifuga herbs and six Cimicifuga racemosa (black cohosh) commercial products. Triterpene glycoside components were selected as chemical markers for analysis because they have appeared as a major compound group in Cimicifuga species. LC/MS chromatograms unveiled the patterns of C. racemosa, Cimicifuga dahurica, Cimicifuga foetida, Cimicifuga heracleifolia, Cimicifuga japonica, Cimicifuga acerina, and Cimicifuga simplex, which are very different from each other. 23-Epi-26-deoxyactein was found only in C. racemosa, C. dahurica, and C. foetida. A highly selective and sensitive LC/MS/MS method for quantitative analysis of 23-epi-26-deoxyactein with detection levels up to 2.5 ng in these samples was also developed and was applied to six commercial C. racemosa products. C. racemosa and its six commercial products contained about 6-15% of 23-epi-26-deoxyactein in total triterpene glycosides. On the other hand, the estimated amount of total triterpene glycosides in other commercial products was either greater or lesser than what the manufacturers claimed. The technique and LC/MS profiles generated in this study provide a reliable and reproducible method that can be readily utilized for botanical identification of Cimicifuga plants, for examination and validation of its commercial products, and for "chemical" quality control in the manufacture of black cohosh products.     

Residue methodology for AMDRO fire ant insecticide (AC 217,300) in pasture grass and crops

Residue methodology is described for the determination of AC 217,300 residues in pasture grass and crop samples. After extraction and subsequent cleanup on an XAD-2 column, residues of AC 217,300 are determined by liquid chromatography (LC), using a reverse phase paired-ion chromatographic system and detection at 300 nm. The method has a validated limit of sensitivity of 0.05 ppm with corresponding control values for the commodities analyzed of less than 0.01 ppm. Apparent residues over 0.05 ppm can be confirmed by either gas chromatography with an electron capture detector (GC-EC) or gas chromatography-negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry (GC-NICI). The direct GC-NICI method circumvents the need for sample cleanup on the XAD-2 column, and offers a greatly simplified procedure that is useful for screening samples. Recoveries of AC 217,300 from the commodities analyzed have been satisfactory with all methods of analysis.     

Analysis of fat-soluble vitamins. XXVIII. High performance liquid chromatographic determination of vitamin D in pet foods and feeds: collaborative study

A high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for vitamin D in pet foods and feeds at low concentrations (2-8 IU/g = 50-200 ppb) was studied collaboratively. The procedure consists of the following purification steps: saponification, extraction of the unsaponifiable fraction, chromatography on alumina, cleanup on reverse phase HPLC, and quantitation with straight phase HPLC. The original method, developed by Knapstein, was simplified by deleting the quantitative TLC step. Six coded samples were distributed to 31 laboratories, along with a known sample containing 15 IU/g to allow practice of the rather complicated procedure. Eighteen collaborators returned their results. Results for the spiked samples show good recovery. The estimates of repeatability and reproducibility are 0.96 and 2.2 IU/g for spiked samples and 1.5 and 3.1 IU/g for commercial samples, respectively, which are considered acceptable for these low concentrations. The method has been adopted official first action.     

Detection of twelve mycotoxins in mixed animal feedstuffs, using a novel membrane cleanup procedure.

A multimycotoxin thin layer chromatographic screening method is described which is applicable to most animal feedstuffs. Interference from nonspecific lipid, pigment, and other components of simple and mixed feeds is reduced to a minimum by using a membrane cleanup step. Aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2, citrinin, diacetoxyscirpenol, ochratoxin A, patulin, penitrem A, sterigmatocystin, T-2 toxin, and zearalenone may be reliably detected. The sensitivity of the method is generally low for mixed feeds but even so aflatoxin B1 can be detected at a level of 3 ppb and ochratoxin A at 80 ppb. While the basic method is less sensitive for sterigmatocystin (330 ppb), patulin (600 ppb), zearalenone (1000 ppb), and the trichothecenes (1000-4000 ppb), it may be adapted so as to reduce the above detection limits when the presence of these toxins is suspected. Lower levels may be detected in extracts of simple feeds.     

Determination of N-nitrosodiethanolamine in dinoseb formulations by mass spectrometry and thermal energy analyzer detection

A new method is described to determine trace quantities of N-nitrosodiethanolamine (NDElA) in aqueous diethanolamine (DElA) formulations and in oil solutions of dinoseb. A formate anion-exchange column is used in series with a cation-exchange column if there is DElA in the formulation. The eluate is then passed through a Clin Elut column. Depending on the concentration of NDElA in the sample, a packed silica-gel column is used to purify the extract further. This extract is analyzed on a liquid chromatograph coupled with a thermal energy analyzer (LC/TEA), using a mixture of methanol-hexane-methylene chloride containing 0.1% acetic acid (8 + 56 + 35) as the mobile phase. This solvent system gives good separation of NDElA from trace quantities of dinoseb remaining in the extract. The NDElA is also converted to the trimethylsilyl derivative and analyzed by gas chromatograph coupled with a mass spectrometer (GC/MS). Analyses of 11 commercial samples of dinoseb diethanolamine salt showed NDElA levels of 116-2409 ppm expressed relative to the weight of dinoseb. In contrast, analyses of 2 samples of organic solutions of technical dinoseb showed NDElA levels to be nondetectable and 0.3 ppm, respectively. Limit of detection by LC/TEA is 6.5 ng (0.5 ppm), and by GC/MS it is 0.02 ng (0.15 ppm). Recoveries from samples spiked at 0.514-1664 ppm range from 92.2 to 105.2%.     

Determination of aflatoxin M1 in milk and milk products contaminated at low levels

A new method is described for the determination of aflatoxin M1 in milk and dairy products by thin layer chromatography. The main characteristic is the extraction system using an alkaline solution. Lipids are removed by centrifuging at low temperatures, and the aflatoxins are then extracted with CHCl3. The method has 2 options: Technique II (detection limit 0.02 ppb) requires cleanup on a chromatographic column; this is not necessary in Technique I (detection limit 0.1 ppb). The recovery rate in both techniques is over 92.8% in milk and yoghurt. This method may also be used for other aflatoxins. Because of the advantages of the method, Technique II is recommended for aflatoxin M1 control in milk, where a low detection limit is necessary. Technique I is proposed for experimental aflatoxin production studies in dairy products, which require analysis of a large number of samples but which do not require a very low detection limit.     

Determination of benzo(a)pyrene in foods

An analytical method was developed for determining benzo(a)pyrene in foods, suitable for routine use. The method consists of 4 cleanup steps: (1) alkali cleavage of sample, (2) preliminary silica gel column chromatography, (3) selective extraction with concentrated sulfuric acid, and (4) further silica gel column chromatography. Recoveries of benzo(a)pyrene added to 50 g (or 10 g) food at levels of 0.4 ppb (or 2 ppb) ranged from 70% for short-necked clam and mackeral to 85% for chicken meat. The sulfuric acid extraction step affords a simple method for isolating benzo(a)pyrene from various kinds of interfering substances which could not be separated by existing methods.     

Rapid determination of aflatoxins in raw peanuts by liquid chromatography with postcolumn iodination and modified minicolumn cleanup

A method is described for rapid cleanup followed by reverse-phase liquid chromatographic (LC) quantitation of aflatoxins in raw peanuts. A modified minicolumn cleanup is used for sample preparation, and a preliminary estimation of aflatoxin content by minicolumn can be made so that highly contaminated samples can be diluted before LC analysis. The use of the simple, quick minicolumn cleanup eliminates the need for further column or cartridge cleanup, thus greatly reducing sample preparation time. Sensitive quantitation is achieved using a phenyl column, a mobile phase of water-tetrahydrofuran (80 + 20, v/v), and postcolumn derivatization with water-saturated iodine followed by fluorescence detection. The recoveries of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2 from peanut meal spiked at 3 levels ranged from 71.7 to 88.3% (average 80%) with coefficients of variation from 2.7 to 10.4%.     

Gas chromatographic determination of incurred dimetridazole residues in swine tissues

A gas chromatographic method for determination of 2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-5-nitroimidazole (DMZOH), the hydroxy metabolite of dimetridazole, in swime muscle has been developed. The method uses cleanup steps similar to those of an earlier polarographic method. The present method is capable of quantitating levels as low as 2 ppb and detecting less than 1 ppb. Recoveries from 30 control tissues spiked at 1, 2, or 4 ppb averaged 80.4%. Performance of the method in incurred tissue was documented and limited data on the depletion of the metabolite in muscle were generated. The muscle of swine given 150 ppm dimetridazole in feed for 14 days contained less than 1 ppb DMZOH at 12 h withdrawal time.     

Simplified cleanup and liquid chromatographic determination of oxamyl residues in potato tubers

A simple and efficient method is presented for the extraction, cleanup, and liquid chromatographic (LC) determination of oxamyl residues in potato tubers. Samples are extracted with methanol, partitioned into dichloromethane, and cleaned up using Sep-Pak Florisil cartridges. LC determination is performed using a Zorbax PSM 60 size exclusion column with an acetonitrile-water (1 + 9) mobile phase and UV detection at 254 nm. Recovery of oxamyl from spiked control tubers averaged 94.1 and 85.9% at fortification levels of 0.4 and 0.08 micrograms oxamyl/g tuber, respectively. The minimum detectable concentration of oxamyl by this method is 0.01 micrograms/g.     

Immunochromatography of fusarochromanone mycotoxins

The present paper describes an enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) used in combination with thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and liquid chromatography (LC) for determination of fusarochromanone (TDP) mycotoxins in barley, wheat, and a Fusarium culture grown in rice and corn. The mycotoxins were first extracted from the sample with 100% methanol and subjected to TLC or LC without additional cleanup treatment. Individual fractions eluted from TLC or LC were acetylated, then analyzed by ELISA. Determinations of TDP toxins at levels as low as 0.1 and 0.5 ng were achieved by ELISA in combination with LC and TLC, respectively. The detection limit for TDP-1 in barley and wheat was about 20 ppb by ELISA alone as compared with a detection limit of 5 ppb by a combination of ELISA with either TLC or LC. Overall analytical recovery (% of added) of TDP-1 added to barley and wheat at 5, 10, and 20 ppb of TDP-1 was 106.9 +/- 15.3 and 113.2 +/- 11.6 by LC-ELISA and 108.8 +/- 9.1 and 110.4 +/- 4.9 by TLC-ELISA, respectively. Analysis of extracts obtained from Fusarium equiseti R6137 grown in corn and rice by the combination of TLC and ELISA revealed that diacetyl-TDP was also produced by this fungus in addition to TDP-1 and TDP-2. Comparable results were obtained when fungal extracts were subjected to ELISA, LC, and immunochromatography (i.e., combination of ELISA with either TLC or LC).