New method of analysis of nitrofurans and nitrofuran metabolites in different biological matrices using UHPLC-MS/MS

Introduction: The major difficulty in analysis of nitrofurans in feed, feed water, and food of animal origin is that nitrofurans have low molecular weights and fast metabolism. The principal goal of this study was to prepare a procedure for the determination of nitrofurans and their metabolites by a single method in different types of feed, feed water, and food of animal origin. Material and Methods: Two-gram samples were subjected to hydrolysis and derivatisation processes by addition of hydrochloric acid and 2-nitrobenzaldehyde. After incubation the sample was purified by solid phase extraction technique. Nitrofurans were analysed using ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography-MS/MS (UHPLC-MS/MS). Results: The results of validation fulfil the requirement of the confirmatory criteria according to the European Commission Decision 2002/657/EC regarding apparent recoveries (88.9%-107.3%), repeatability (2.9%-9.4%) and within-laboratory reproducibility (4.4%-10.7%). Conclusion: The method can be successfully applied to monitor nitrofurans and their metabolites in different matrices.