Methyl‐3‐quinoxaline‐2‐carboxylic acid (MQCA) is the last major remaining detectable metabolite of Olaquindox in animal tissue. A rapid, sensitive and specific ultra performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS) method was developed for the detection and quantification of MQCA in fish tissue using deuterated quinoxaline‐2‐carboxylic acid (d4‐QCA) as internal standard. Various parameters affecting sample preparation, LC separation and MS/MS detection were investigated, and the optimal conditions concerned were determined. Fish tissue samples were subject to hydrochloric acid hydrolysis followed by Oasis MAX solid‐phase extraction clean‐up; analysis was performed using UPLC coupled to electrospray MS/MS. The chromatographic separation was achieved in less than 5 min. The limit of detection and the limit of quantification were 0.1 and 0.25 ng/g, respectively. The average recoveries of MQCA, spiked at levels of 0.25–50.0 ng/g, were from 92.7 to 104.3%. The relative standard deviation values were <6%. The validated method was successfully applied to analyze 60 batch samples collected from the local market.
The amount of macrolide (MAL) residues in aquatic products, including oleandomycin (OLD), erythromycin (ERM), clarithromycin (CLA), azithromycin (AZI), kitasamycin (KIT), josamycin (JOS), spiramycin (SPI), tilmicosin (TIL), tylosin (TYL), and roxithromycin (ROX), was determined using solid-phase extraction and ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). The residues were extracted with 1% ammonia acetonitrile solution and purified by neutral alumina adsorption. Chromatographic separation was completed on an ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 column with acetonitrile–0.1% formic acid aqueous solution as the mobile phase, and mass spectrometry detection was performed by multiple reaction monitoring scanning with the positive mode in an electrospray ion source (ESI+). Five isotopically labeled compounds were used as internal standards for quality control purposes. The findings indicated that across the mass concentration span of 1.0–100 μg/L, there was a strong linear correlation (R2 > 0.99) between the concentration and instrumental response for the 10 MALs. The limit of detection of UPLC-MS/MS was 0.25–0.50 μg/kg, and the limit of quantitation was 0.5–1.0 μg/kg. The added recovery of blank matrix samples at standard gradient levels (1.0, 5.0, and 50.0 μg/kg) was 83.1–116.6%, and the intra-day precision and inter-day precisions were 3.7 and 13.8%, respectively. The method is simple and fast, with high accuracy and good repeatability, in line with the requirements for accurate qualitative and quantitative analysis of the residues for 10 MALs in aquatic products.
Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a marine biotoxin that has high scientific value. However, the lack of efficient TTX extraction and preparation methods has led to a scarcity of TTX samples for clinical application. In this study, TTX from the liver of Takifugu pseudommus was ultrasound-assisted extracted with acidified organic solvents. The extraction process was analyzed and optimized by single factor method and response surface methodology (RSM). The optimal extraction conditions predicted by a response surface model were as follows: liquid:material ratio, 2.8:1; extraction temperature, 60 °C; extraction time, 23.3 min. Under these conditions, the extraction of TTX had a yield of 89.65%, and the results were further verified by experimental extraction, and analyzed by ultra performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS). It was found that the extracts of T. pseudommus liver contained TTX and its four analogues at certain proportions (TTX: 10.4%; 5,6,11-trideoxyTTX: 83.3%; 5,11-dideoxyTTX:2.4%; 4,9-anhydro TTX:2.6%; 5-deoxyTTX:1.3%). This study demonstrates a stable and efficient extraction process of TTX from pufferfish liver, which can be helpful for further research and analysis, as well as the utilization of TTX from pufferfish.
A sensitive method was developed for detecting diazepam residues in aquatic products using magnetic dispersive solid-phase extraction (MDSPE) coupled with ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Samples extracted with 1% ammonia–acetonitrile were purified using synthesized Fe3O4@SiO2-PSA nanoparticles via MDSPE before UPLC-MS/MS analysis. Separation was performed on a C18 column with gradient elution using 0.1% formic acid–2 mM ammonium acetate/methanol. Detection employed positive electrospray ionization (ESI+) in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. Characterization confirmed Fe3O4@SiO2-PSA’s mesoporous structure with excellent adsorption capacity and magnetic properties. The method showed good linearity (0.1–10 μg/L, r > 0.99) with an LOD and LOQ of 0.20 μg/kg and 0.50 μg/kg, respectively. Recoveries at 0.5–15.0 µg/kg spiking levels were 74.9–109% (RSDs 1.24–11.6%). This approach provides rapid, accurate, and high-precision analysis of diazepam in aquatic products, meeting regulatory requirements.
A method combining magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was developed for the determination of diazepam residues in aquatic products. A novel magnetic nanoparticle material, Fe3O4@SiO2@DVB-NVP, was synthesized and applied as an adsorbent for sample cleanup. The sample preparation procedure involved extraction with 1% ammonia–acetonitrile, followed by purification using the MSPE technique to efficiently remove matrix interferents. Chromatographic separation was achieved on an ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 column with a gradient elution program using a mobile phase composed of 0.1% formic acid–2 mM ammonium acetate solution and methanol. Detection was performed under multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) mode with positive electrospray ionization (ESI+). Quantification was carried out using the external standard method. The synthesized magnetic material was characterized using SEM, TEM, FTIR, XRD, BET, and VSM, confirming its mesoporous structure, strong adsorption capacity, and excellent magnetic responsiveness. The method demonstrated good linearity over the concentration range of 0.25–50 μg/L (r2 = 0.997). The limits of detection and quantification were 0.20 μg/kg and 0.50 μg/kg, respectively. Average recoveries from spiked blank matrices at three levels (0.5, 2.5, and 5.0 μg/kg) ranged from 89.3% to 119.7%, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) between 0.8% and 10.2%. The proposed method is highly selective, exhibits minimal matrix interference, and provides reliable quantitative performance, making it suitable for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of diazepam residues in aquatic products.