Development of a whole liquid egg certified reference material for accurate measurement of enrofloxacin residue

Abstract

To ensure accurate and reliable measurement results, a whole liquid egg certified reference material (CRM) retaining the resemblance to real samples was first developed for improving measurement quality of enrofloxacin residue in eggs. The CRM raw material naturally containing enrofloxacin was obtained by sampling eggs from laying hens following oral administration of enrofloxacin. The homogenizing and bottling procedure was evaluated and applied on the bulk raw material to prepare the CRM candidate. For characterization of the CRM, liquid chromatography tandem isotope dilution mass spectrometry as a reliable reference method was studied and used for value assignment by all participating laboratories. The certified value was assigned to be 30.6 μg/kg with expanded uncertainty of 3.1 μg/kg (coverage factor k = 2, approximate 95% confidence interval) for enrofloxacin. In addition, homogeneity, long-term stability at -70 °C for one year and short-term stability at -18 °C, 4 °C and room temperature for nine days were assessed.

Keywords: Characterization; Enrofloxacin; Homogeneity and stability; Isotope dilution mass spectrometry; Uncertainty; Whole liquid egg certified reference material.