Development and validation of rapid screening of 192 veterinary drug residues in aquatic products using HPLC-HRMS coupled with QuEChERS
Guangxin Yang, Junyu Zhang, Yunyu Tang, Cong Kong, Siman Li, Shouying Wang, Shuhai Ding, Lin Gu, Xiaosheng Shen, Aka Alla Martin, Hai Chi
Abstract
The presence of veterinary drug residues in aquatic products represents a significant challenge to food safety. The current detection methods, limited in both scope and sensitivity, underscore the urgent need for more advanced techniques. This research introduces a swift and potent screening technique using high-performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (HPLC-HRMS) and a refined QuEChERS protocol, allowing simultaneous qualitative and semi-quantitative analysis of 192 residues. A comprehensive database, employing full scan mode and data-dependent secondary mass spectroscopy, enhances screening accuracy. The method involves efficient extraction using 90% acetonitrile, dehydration with Na2SO4, and acetic acid, followed by cleanup using dispersive solid-phase extract sorbent primary secondary amine. It is suitable for samples with varying fat content, offering detection limits ranging from 0.5 to 10 μg/kg, high recovery rates (60–120%), and low relative standard deviations (<20%). Practical application has validated its effectiveness for multi-residue screening, marking a significant advancement in food safety evaluation.