Screening in veterinary drug analysis and sports doping control based on full-scan, accurate-mass spectrometry

A common trend in food contaminants and sports doping control is towards a limited number of targeted, full-scan, accurate-mass spectrometry (MS) methods based on time-of-flight (TOF) or Fourier-transform orbital trap (Orbitrap) mass analyzers. Retrospective analysis of the full-scan datasets of signals from emerging contaminants, novel metabolites and illegal designer substances is a major step forward. We present data from recent applications of gas chromatography with TOF-MS, ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (LC) with TOE-MS and LC-Orbitrap MS in the screening of European Commission-regulated veterinary drugs and other contaminants in foods, and World Anti-Doping Agency-prohibited substances. We discuss the potential impact of these new approaches on future developments. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.