Multi-Residue Determination of 244 Chemical Contaminants in Chicken Eggs by Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry after Effective Lipid Clean-Up

In this study, we aimed to establish a multi-residue analytical method for the simultaneous detection of chemical contaminants in eggs. Using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), we developed an analytical method that can separate 244 compounds (including beta-agonists (25), imidazole and benzimidazoles (31), sulfonamides (22), antihistamines (10), beta-lactam (5), insecticides (7), quinolones (24), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (13), and steroidal hormones (38)) within 30 min. A new enhanced matrix removal-lipid (EMR-Lipid) material was used as a purified sorbent in the QuEChERS clean-up method. Excellent linearity (r > 0.9905) was achieved. Additionally, recoveries ranged between 51.33% and 118.28%, with repeatability (RSDr) and reproducibility (RSDwR) in the range of 1.01-14.22% and 1.08-14.96%, respectively. In all of the compounds, low limits of quantification (LOQs) <= 5 mu g kg(-1) were found. Meanwhile, the detection limit (CC alpha) and detection capability (CC beta) were 1.88-40.60 mu g kg(-1) and 2.85-407.19 mu g kg(-1), respectively. In conclusion, the evaluated method was shown to provide reliable screening, quantification, and identification of 244 multi-class chemicals in eggs and was successfully applied in real samples.

Automated summary

This study successfully established a multi-residue analytical method for the simultaneous detection of 244 chemical contaminants in eggs. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used, and a new purified sorbent was employed in the clean-up method. The method showed good separation and recovery, and can be used for screening, quantification, and identification of chemical contaminants in eggs.