Improvement of simultaneous multi-residue analysis of 5 β-agonists in livestock and fishery products using LC-MS/MS

Improvement of simultaneous multi-residue analysis of 5 β-agonists in livestock and fishery products using LC-MS/MS

β-agonists, veterinary drugs used as bronchodilators and labor suppressants in humans and livestock, are also employed as growth promoters in livestock by inhibiting fat biosynthesis and stimulating muscle growth. Residues of these drugs in animal-derived food products, however, pose potential health risks to consumers. Numerous studies have been conducted on analytical methods for β-agonists, typically involving extraction with enzymes or acid treatment. However, these existing methods present challenges, including safety risks associated with reagents, lengthy extraction times, and high costs. This study developed a safe and rapid analytical method using hydrochloric acid instead of perchloric acid for extraction solvent and 0.1 % formic acid for redissolution solvent. The method demonstrated a correlation coefficient greater than 0.99, with an average recovery and a coefficient of variation that met the requirements of the CODEX guidelines. This method is expected to increase the efficiency of β-agonist residue monitoring and management.