Rapid determination and risk evaluation of multi-class antibiotics in aquatic products by one-step purification process coupled with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Abstract

A sensitive and robust multiclass analytical method was established to simultaneously determine 55 antibiotics in aquatic products through liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. A simple one-step purification process was successfully developed, which combined post-acidic acetonitrile extraction directly by an enhanced matrix removal cartridge. This approach eliminated the need for solvent transition. The established method for 55 antibiotics achieved an excellent linear relationship with R2 values ≥ 0.9921 in the range of 0.05–200 μg/L. The quantitation limits ranged within 0.04–5.0 μg/kg. Satisfactory recoveries (76.2%–99.7 %) were achieved with the relative standard deviations below 13.9 %. Furthermore, the antibiotic residues in aquatic products were analyzed, and the health and antibiotic resistance risk assessments were conducted. Although the health risks of target antibiotics were acceptable, a resistance risk was observed. Therefore, monitoring antibiotic residue levels in aquatic products requires considerable attention and further research to ensure the quality of marine products and consumer safety.