A reliable and cost-efficient TLC-HPLC method for determining total florfenicol residues in porcine edible tissues

Abstract

It is still a challenge to solve the matrix interferences in veterinary drug residue analysis. In this study, we reported a thin layer chromatography (TLC)-high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for determining total florfenicol (FF) residues, expressed as florfenicol amine (FFA), in porcine edible tissues. The tissue homogenate were acid-hydrolyzed to liberate the bound residues and convert them into FFA. The hydrolysates were washed with ethyl acetate and subsequently extracted with ethyl acetate under alkaline conditions. The supernatants were concentrated through evaporation, defatted with hexane, purified by TLC and analyzed by HPLC at 225 nm. The optimal developing solvent for TLC purification was ethyl acetate-acetone-ammonium hydroxide mixtures (2:8:0.5, v/v/v). The method was fully validated according to decision 2002/657/EC, and could be used for the routine monitoring of FF residues in pig. TLC showed excellent purification efficiency, and was expected to solve the matrix interferences in veterinary drug residue analysis.

Keywords: Acetone (PubChem CID: 180); Ammonium hydroxide (PubChem CID: 14923); Ethyl acetate (PubChem CID: 8857); Florfenicol (PubChem CID: 114811); Florfenicol amine; Florfenicol amine (PubChem CID: 156406); Hexane (PubChem CID: 8058); High-performance liquid chromatography; Hydrochloric acid (PubChem CID: 313); Porcine edible tissues; Sodium 1-dodecanesulfonate (PubChem CID: 23665726); Thin layer chromatography; Total florfenicol residues; Triethylamine (PubChem CID: 8471).