Multiresidue method for identification and quantification of avermectins, benzimidazoles and nitroimidazoles residues in bovine muscle tissue by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) using a QuEChERS approach

Abstract

A quantitative and confirmatory multiresidue method for determining the presence of avermectins, benzimidazoles and nitroimidazoles in bovine muscle tissue by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) was developed, optimized and validated, using a QuEChERS extraction. The evaluated performance parameters were linearity, selectivity, matrix effect, decision limits (CCα), detection capability (CCβ), limits of detection (LOD), limits of quantification (LOQ), accuracy, precision and robustness. The validated method exhibited linearity with coefficient of determination (R2) higher than 0.90 in the working range from 0.5 to 2.0 times the maximum residue limit (MRL) or the minimum required performance level (MRPL) for the studied analytes, except for closantel, for which the linear study range was defined from 50 to 200µgkg−1. The method was selective in the presence of macrolides and lincosamides for all the studied analytes. The LOD varied from 0.007 to 66.715µgkg−1, whereas LOQ values ranging from 0.011 to 113.674µgkg−1 were found. The results of the evaluation of the accuracy and precision were satisfactory for all the studied analytes, and according to the assessment of the robustness, the method was not robust only for the analytes abamectin, moxidectin, doramectin fenbendazole sulfone, closantel, thiabendazole, hydroxyl-metronidazole and ronidazole. The performance parameters demonstrated total method adequacy for the detection and quantification of avermectins, benzimidazoles and nitroimidazoles residues in bovine muscle tissues.