Determination of quinolone residues in chicken and fish by capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry

A specific pressure-assisted CE-MS method is described for the analysis of five quinolone residues. MS using a single quadrupole is compared with multiple-stage MS using a quadrupole IT (QIT-MSn). The procedure involves a common sample preparation by SPE on disposable cartridges. The most suitable electrolyte is 60 mM (NH4)(2)CO3 at pH 9.2. Single quadrupole does not provide enough fragmentation to confirm identities according to the current legislation. However, QIT-MSn achieves selective fragmentation. Using this method, danofloxacin, enrofloxacin, flumequine, ofloxacin, and pipemidic acid are analyzed in fortified samples of chicken and fish. Recoveries at levels of 50 ng/g were 62-99%, except for flumequine, which gives recoveries >= 45%. RSDs are from 9 to 16% and the LOD is equal (20 ng/g) for the five analytes. Confirmation of the quinolones' identity is achieved using QIT-MS3. Forty samples of chicken. and fish taken from different local markets are analyzed. Enrofloxacin is also determined in incurred chicken muscle using this method.