LC–MS/MS analysis of coccidiostats in meat supply chain safety

Abstract

The presence of coccidiostats in meat products represents an important topic because of the animal administration of these substances, authorized as feed additives for targeted species, in order to prevent and inhibit coccidiosis. Coccidiostats include both ionophores and synthetic molecules characterized by different chemical–physical properties such as polarity. Meat is a matrix characterized by many interfering compound groups, such as proteins, phospholipids, and fats. High‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) analysis allows the required selectivity and sensitivity for discriminating analytes and matrix interferences.For these reasons, an LC–MS/MS method for the analysis of coccidiostats in meat products was developed without SPE purification steps. The correct analyte quantification is allowed by matrix‐matched calibration. The method validation was performed by the replicated analysis of spiked meat samples at two different concentration levels (limit of quantification—LOQ—and a 10 times LOQ) in order to evaluate method recovery and repeatability, plus spiked samples at higher concentrations up to 10,000 μg/kg. Moreover, the metrological approach was used for the calculation of method uncertainty. The application of the developed method to real samples evidenced the presence of some non‐ionophores coccidiostats in the meat and liver of chicken and rabbit species. Although, the determined concentration was below the established MRLs, the monitoring of coccidiostats in the meat supply chain is confirmed as a good strategy in order to safeguard consumer health.

Analysis of differential colostrum metabolism in high and low yielding Guanzhong dairy goats

“…Metabolomics is a technique to study the metabolic network of biological systems. The research targets are mainly endogenous small molecules with relative molecular mass less than 1 000 mol, and its detection of small endogenous metabolites in biological samples through high-throughput sequencing technology [7] ; liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) technology is characterized by its high sensitivity, resolution, and automation [8] , has been widely used in screening animal tissue metabolite markers in recent years. Diet-induced metabolic alterations in the rumen metabolic profile and their effects on milk production-related traits in ruminants are examined by studying potential metabolic biomarkers of disease or physiology [9−10] .…”