Simultaneous determination of 20 β-agonists in pig muscle and liver by high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

Abstract

A method was developed to determine 20 illegal residual β-agonists in pork tissues, including muscle and liver simultaneously. The samples were hydrolyzed by β-glucuronidase, purified by PCX SPE cartridges, and detected by HPLC coupled with electrospray ionization MS/MS operating in the positive ion mode. Matrix-fortified calibration was performed to compensate for the matrix effect and loss in sample preparation. Decision limit ranged from 0.05 to 0.23 μg/kg in muscle and 0.05 to 0.57 μg/kg in liver. Decision capacity ranged from 0.11 to 0.4 μg/kg in muscle and 0.16 to 0.79 μg/kg in liver. In Food Analysis Performance Assessment Scheme proficiency test 0287, a pig liver test material containing 13 β-agonists was analyzed using the method developed, and clenbuterol and ractopamine were confirmed as being present. Z-scores for clenbuterol and ractopamine were 0.2 and 0.6, respectively.