Validation of an analytical methodology for the determination of chloramphenicol residues in honey using UPLC-MS/MS

Abstract

The aim of present study was to develop and validate a simple, precise, accurate and sensitive method for the identification, validation and quantification of Chloramphenicol (CAP) residues in honey using ultra performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) coupled along with electron spray ionization (ESI). Separation of CAP was achieved by means of chromatographic column BEH C18 (100 mm x 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm) in gradient mode using water: acetonitrile as mobile phase. Validation of the developed method was performed as per criteria outlined in European Commission Decision No 2002/657/EC. We found that, limit of quantification, decision limit and decision capability for CAP was 0.15 μg kg-1, 0.10 μg kg-1 and 0.20 μg kg-1 respectively. The validated method showed adequate linearity and correlation coefficient was found to be more than 0.992. We found that, all the validation parameters were satisfactory and within the set limit of European Commission Decision 2002/657/EC.