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In this study, well-defined core-shell ethylenediamine-functional magnetic ferroferric oxide polymers were prepared and were fully characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometry. Then, it was used as a magnetic solid-phase extraction adsorbent for simultaneous determination of 11 trace quinolone residues in freshwater fish samples coupled to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The obtained results revealed that the adsorbent showed good extraction efficiency and the adsorption mechanisms referred to hydrogen bond and π-π stacking interaction. Moreover, the magnetic solid-phase extraction conditions were also carefully optimized. The limits of quantitation of 11 quinolones were in the range of 0.15-0.36 μg/kg, while spiking recoveries were in the range of 80.2-99.5% for the 11 quinolones in freshwater fish samples at four spiked levels including limits of quantitation, 1.0, 40.0, and 80.0 μg/kg with the relative standard deviations ranging from 0.8 to 9.1%. The proposed method was applied to analyze 45 freshwater fish samples, and enrofloxacin was detected in 91.1% samples with concentrations ranging from 0.659 to 333 μg/kg. It could be concluded that the proposed method is fast, simple, sensitive, and accurate for the routine monitor of freshwater fish., (© 2021 Ningbo municipal center for disease control and prevention. Journal of Separation Science published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Fluorescent sensors are a vital research tool, enabling the study of intricate cellular processes in a sensitive manner. The design and synthesis of responsive and targeted probes is necessary to allow such processes to be interrogated in the cellular environment. This remains a challenge, and requires methods for functionalisation of fluorophores with multiple appendages for sensing and targeting groups. Methods to synthesise more structurally complex derivatives of fluorophores will expand their potential scope. Most known 4-amino-1,8-naphthalimides are only functionalised at imide and 4-positions, and structural modifications at additional positions will increase the breadth of their utility as responsive sensors. In this work, methods for the incorporation of a hypoxia sensing group to 4-amino-1,8-naphthalimide were evaluated. An intermediate was developed that allowed us to incorporate a sensing group, targeting group, and ICT donor to the naphthalimide core in a modular fashion. Synthetic strategies for attaching the hypoxia sensing group and how they affected the fluorescence of the naphthalimide were evaluated by photophysical characterisation and time-dependent density functional theory. An extracellular hypoxia probe was then rationally designed that could selectively image the hypoxic and necrotic region of tumour spheroids. Our results demonstrate the versatility of the naphthalimide scaffold and expand its utility. This approach to probe design will enable the flexible, efficient generation of selective, targeted fluorescent sensors for various biological purposes., (© 2020 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

A simple pH-responsive magnetic solid-phase extraction method was developed using graphene oxide-coated nanoscale zerovalent iron nanoparticles as an efficient adsorbent prior to high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for determination of ultra-trace quinolones in milk samples. Various parameters affecting maghemite synthesis and separation such as pH of sample solution, amount of magnetic adsorbent, eluent type, and volume were optimized. The limits of detection are from 3.1 to 13.3 ng/L. The intra- and interprecision values are in the range of 2.9-6.9% and 7.6-15.1%, respectively. Recoveries are from 82.4 to 103.9%. Therefore, this simple and sensitive method is suitable for detecting ultra-trace quinolone residues in milk., (© 2020 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

This study presents a simple and green dispersive micro-solid phase extraction method for preconcentration of acidic quinolones from honey prior to high performance liquid chromatography determination. A two-dimensional nanostructured zinc-aluminum layered double hydroxide was synthesized and used as the sorbent for dispersive micro-solid phase extraction. Its different characteristics from conventional sorbents is that it is dissolvable in acidic solution (pH < 4). After the extraction, the analyte elution step was omitted and thus the use of organic solvents was avoided. The key parameters influencing the extraction efficiency such as the amount of sorbent, pH of sample solution, vortex time, type and volume of acidic solution were investigated and optimized. The method exhibited low limits of detection (3.0-5.0 ng/g), good linearity (10-2000 ng/g) with coefficients of determinations higher than 0.9991, acceptable precision (RSD<9.1%) and accuracy (RE<5.8%). The proposed method is fast, efficient, eco-friendly, and suitable for the determination of acidic quinolones in honey samples., (© 2019 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for the determination of six quinolone residues (ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin, sarafloxacin, oxolinic acid, nalidixic acid, and flumequine) in shrimp tissue samples. Separation was carried out by a LiChrospher® 100 RP-8e column, running at a 22 min gradient elution program, and the mobile phase consisted of citric acid (0.4 mol/L), acetonitrile and methanol. Detection was achieved by a diode array detector, monitoring at 255 and 275 nm. Sample preparation included initial extraction with citric acid solution and further clean-up by solid-phase extraction, employing Lichrolut RP-18 cartridges. Validation was performed according to the European Union Decision 2002/657/EC. The detection capability was 127.2 μg/kg for ciprofloxacin, 115.2 μg/kg for enrofloxacin, 126.2 μg/kg for sarafloxacin, 113.1 μg/kg for oxolinic acid, 125.2 μg/kg for nalidixic acid, and 239.0 μg/kg for flumequine. Recoveries ranged between 83.0 and 121.6%. The Youden test was applied to study the method ruggedness., (© 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

This study developed an improved analytical method for the simultaneous quantification of 13 quinolones in cosmetics by ultra high performance liquid chromatography combined with ESI triple quadrupole MS/MS under the multiple reaction monitoring mode. The analytes were extracted and purified by using an SPE cartridge. The limits of quantification ranged from 0.03 to 3.02 μg/kg. The precision for determining the quinolones was <19.39%. The proposed method was successfully developed for the determination of quinolones in real cosmetic samples., (© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

A novel LC-based method for the determination of enantiomeric excess (ee) in a sample mixture has been developed by employing on-line 2D LC. The orthogonal separation system is composed of an NH2 column as the first dimension to elute the target chiral compound from the crude mixture and a chiral column as the second dimension to determine the ee of the target chiral product. A series of crude mixtures from asymmetric reactions have been directly analyzed without prepurification. Good reproducibility (intra- and interday precisions were all under 1.33%) and good accuracy (deviations from ee values determined by 1D HPLC were all <1.03%) have been obtained. Compared with the traditional method for the determination of ee, on-line 2D HPLC can be used in real time and holds great potential in the time-saving determination of ee in asymmetric synthesis., (© 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

A sensitive and selective confirmatory method for milk-residue analysis of ten quinolones and eight cephalosporins by LC-MS/MS has been developed herein. For the chromatographic separation of target analytes, a Perfectsil ODS-2 (250 × 4 mm, 5 μm) analytical column was used and gradient elution was applied, using a mobile phase of 0.1% w/w TFA in water and 0.1% w/w TFA in ACN. Ultrasound-assisted matrix solid-phase dispersion procedure was applied for the extraction and clean-up procedure of antimicrobials agents from milk matrix using a mixture of Bond Elut Plexa sorbent and QuEChERS. The method was validated meeting the European Legislation determining selectivity, linearity response, trueness, precision (repeatability and between-day reproducibility), decision limit, detection capability, and ruggedness following the Youden approach. Recoveries of all antibiotics ranged from 81.7 to 117.9%, while RSD values were lower than 13.7%. Limits of quantification for all examined compounds ranged from 2.4 to 15.0 μg/kg, substantially lower than the maximum residue limits established by the European Union (30-100 μg/kg)., (© 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

A magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) method combined with capillary electrophoresis for the simultaneous determination of seven quinolones (QNs) (danofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, marbofloxacin, enrofloxacin, difloxacin, oxolinic acid, and flumequine), using (S)-(+)-6-methoxy-α-methyl-2-naphthaleneacetic acid as internal standard, in milk samples was developed. The variables involved in the preconcentration magnetic procedure were: the composition of the magnetic support composition, the sample pH, and the weight of magnetic adsorbent used. The variables were optimized using a simplex-lattice design. Different magnetite covered with octyl-phenyl silica adsorbents were synthesized by varying the molar ratio of phenyltrimethylsilane and octyltrimethoxysilane; the solids were evaluated for QN preconcentration. Under optimal conditions, a linear range was obtained from 27 to 1000 μg L(-1) with limits of detection ranging from 9 to 12 μg L(-1) for the seven QNs. The absolute recoveries of the seven QNs at three different spiked levels (40, 150, and 400 μg L(-1) ) ranged from 74% to 98% with a relative standard deviation less than 10% in all cases. The proposed method was applied to analyze 20 whole milk samples of different brands. All samples were positive for the presence of QN residues; in some cases, extract dilution was required. The concentrations found are in the range from 31.1 to 5047.3 μg L(-1) . Marbofloxacin was the most frequently found. The method proposed offers advantages in terms of simplicity, sensitivity, efficiency, cost, and analysis time making it an alternative for the analysis of QNs in whole milk samples., (© 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

The method of liquid-phase microextraction assisted with voltage was developed and applied on determination of quinolones in water sample in this study. Both of the reproducibility and extraction time were improved with the aid of applying voltage. Four analytes in neutral state such as cinoxacin, oxolinic acid, nalidixic acid, and flumequine were extracted from a sample solution at pH 2.0, through a polypropylene hollow fiber which was immobilized with 2-octanone, and then into a 25 μL of the acceptor phase of 40 mM borate buffer at pH 10.0 by applying voltage of 100 V. Subsequently, the acceptor solution was directly subjected to analysis by LC-MS. The performance of the method for four quinolones was also evaluated. Linearity was obtained in the range of 1.0-25.0 ng/mL with R(2) > 0.996. Limits of detection were below 0.6 ng/mL, and recoveries of water sample were ranged from 90.8 to 109.6%., (© 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

A novel molecularly imprinted polymer monolith was prepared by the room temperature ionic liquid-mediated in situ molecular imprinting technique, using norfloxacin (NOR) as the template, methacrylic acid as the functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as the cross-linker. The optimal synthesis conditions and recognition properties of NOR-imprinted monolithic column were investigated. The results indicated that the imprinted monoliths exhibited good ability of selective recognition against the template and its structural analog. Using the fabricated material as solid-phase extraction sorbent, a sample pre-treatment procedure of molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction coupling with HPLC was developed for determination of trace quinolone residues in animal tissues samples. The recoveries ranging from 78.16 to 93.50% for eight quinolones antibiotics such as marbofloxacin, NOR, ciprofloxacin, danofloxacin, difloxacin, oxolinic acid, flumequine and enrofloxacin were obtained.

A simple and effective multi-residue analysis method is presented for the extraction and determination of eleven quinolones (pipemidic acid, enoxacin, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, lomefloxacin, enrofloxacin, gatifloxacin, difloxacin, oxolinic acid, nalidixic acid and flumequine) in fish tissues. In this study, multi-residue separations on four columns packed with 5 microm or sub-2 microm particles were simultaneously developed for the purpose of comparison. Various gradients were optimized and best resolutions were achieved on each column. A short and sub-2 microm particle-sized HPLC column was chosen for its advantages in analysis time and column performance. Additionally, considering the matrix effect of the complex crude fish tissue, an effective extraction protocol was also established for sample pre-treatment procedure. Good recoveries (71-98%) were obtained from samples fortified with a mix of eleven quinolones at three levels, with satisfactory relative standard deviations and limits of detection. As a result, the sub-2 microm HPLC column and proposed analytical procedures have been evaluated and applied to the analysis of different fish tissues. Detectable residues were observed in 8 of 30 samples, at concentrations ranging from 4.74 to 23.27 microg/kg.

Zinc signals, i.e. a change of the intracellular concentration of free zinc ions in response to receptor stimulation, are involved in signal transduction in several immune cells. Here, the role of zinc signals in T-cell activation by IL-2 was investigated in the murine cytotoxic T-cell line CTLL-2 and in primary human T cells. Measurements with the fluorescent dyes FluoZin-3 and Zinquin showed that zinc is released from lysosomes into the cytosol in response to stimulation of the IL-2-receptor. Activation of the ERK-pathway was blocked by chelation of free zinc with N,N,N',N'-tetrakis-2(pyridyl-methyl)ethylenediamine, whereas zinc was not required for STAT5 phosphorylation. In addition, the key signaling molecules MEK and ERK were activated in response to elevated free intracellular zinc, induced by incubation with zinc and the ionophore pyrithione. Downstream of ERK activation, ERK-specific gene expression of c-fos and IL-2-induced proliferation was found to depend on zinc. Further experiments indicated that inhibition of MEK and ERK-dephosphorylating protein phosphatases is the molecular mechanism for the influence of zinc on this pathway. In conclusion, an increase of cytoplasmic free zinc is required for IL-2-induced ERK signaling and proliferation of T cells.

In this study, a simplified method for the extraction and determination of seven fluoroquinolone residues (danofloxacin, difloxacin, enrofloxacin, marbofloxacin, orbifloxacin, ofloxacin, and sarafloxacin) and three quinolones (oxolinic acid, flumequine, and nalidixic acid), in porcine muscle, table eggs, and commercial whole milk, which required no cleanup step, was devised. This procedure involves the extraction of analytes from the samples via liquid-phase extraction, and the subsequent quantitative determination was accomplished via LC-fluorescence detection. Analyte separation was successfully conducted on an XBridge-C(18) column, with a linear gradient mobile phase composed of acetonitrile and 0.01 M oxalic acid buffer at pH=3.5. The one-step liquid-liquid extraction method evidenced good selectivity, precision (RSDs=0.26-15.07%), and recovery of the extractable analytes, ranging from 61.12 to 115.93% in matrices. The LOQs ranged from 0.3 to 25 microg/kg. A survey of ten samples purchased from local markets was conducted, and none of the samples harbored fluoroquinolone residues. This method is an improvement over existing methodologies, since no additional cleanup was necessary.

This article describes the influence of bovine serum albumin (BSA) as an additive on the capillary electrophoresis-potential gradient determination of five quinolones, enoxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin, fleroxacin, and pazufloxacin. With 10 mg/L of BSA present in the buffer of 30 mM Tris and 3 mM phosphoric acid at pH 9, the detection limits of the five quinolones were in the range of 0.24-0.68 mg/L, i. e. 5.8-16.5-fold lower than those obtained with the buffer devoid of BSA, and the analysis time was shortened. We suggest that the inner wall-adsorbed BSA suppresses the adsorption of quinolones and simultaneously enhances the electroosmotic flow rate. Our experiments indicated that adopting the potential gradient detection technique could eliminate the interference of the UV-active proteins on the detection of quinolones that would occur with conventional optical detection, and therefore offer high detection sensitivity. As a demonstration, the method was applied to the determination of QNs in fortified chicken muscle sample with satisfactory results.

A novel and simple method is presented for the determination of norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and ofloxacin by capillary electrophoresis with chemiluminescence detection. This method is based on the enhancing effect of quinolones on the chemiluminescence reaction of the Ce(SO(4))(2)-Ru(bpy)(3)(2+)-HNO(3) system. Three quinolones were successfully separated and detected under optimum conditions. The obtained detection limits were 2.3x10(-7) mol/L, 5.2x10(-8) mol/L, and 7.8x10(-8) mol/L for ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, and ofloxacin, respectively. The RSD of migration time and peak area were less than 1.8 and 3.8% (n = 5), respectively. The applicability of the proposed method was illustrated in the determination of ofloxacin in eye drops and of norfloxacin in human urine samples, and the monitoring of pharmacokinetics for norfloxacin.

We have developed and validated a CE-MS/MS method using an in-line SPE device (analyte concentrator, AC) to determine eight quinolones of veterinary use whose maximum residue levels in animal edible tissues are established by the EU Council Regulation 2377/90, i.e., danofloxacin, sarafloxacin, ciprofloxacin, marbofloxacin, enrofloxacin, difloxacin, oxolinic acid, and flumequine. Different parameters affecting the AC performance, such as its design (in this case frit-free), the kind of sorbent (Oasis MCX), sample pH, volume, and composition of the elution plug and injection time were studied. The method was validated using standard solutions obtaining LODs between 17 and 59 ng/L. Finally, a pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) method was developed to determine these antibiotics in chicken muscle samples. The whole analytical method was validated in terms of linearity (r2 >or= 0.992), recoveries (63-112%), repeatability and intermediate precision (RSD

A sensitive multi-residue analytical method was developed for the determination of ten quinolones: enoxacin, ofloxacin, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, danofloxacin, enrofloxacin, sarafloxacin, oxolinic acid, nalidixic acid, and flumequine in bovine liver and porcine kidney. A simple liquid extraction step followed by a solid phase extraction clean up procedure was applied for the extraction of quinolones from liver and kidney tissues. Recoveries of the extraction varied between 82 and 88% for bovine liver and 92 and 95% for porcine kidney. Separation was performed on an ODS-3 PerfectSil Target (250 x 4 mm) 5 microm analytical column at 25 degrees C. The mobile phase consisted of a mixture of TFA 0.1%-CH(3)CN-CH(3)OH, delivered at a flow rate of 1.2 mL/min according to a gradient program. Elution of quinolones and the internal standard (caffeine, 7.5 ng/microL) was complete within 27 min. Photodiode array detection was used for monitoring the eluants at 275 and 255 nm. The method was fully validated according to the European Union Decision 2002/657/EC, determining linearity, selectivity, decision limit, detection capability, accuracy, and precision. The LODs of the specific method of quinolone determination in bovine liver varied between 3 and 7 microg/kg and in porcine kidney between 3 and 4 microg/kg.

The aim of this work was to develop an HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of ten quinolones: enoxacin, ofloxacin, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, danofloxacin, enrofloxacin, sarafloxacin, oxolinic acid, nalidixic acid, and flumequine, in various tissues of food-producing animals. Separation was achieved on a PerfectSil Target column (250 mm x 4 mm, ODS-3, 5 microm), by MZ-Analysentechnik (Germany), at room temperature. The mobile phase consisted of 0.1% TFA-CH(3)OH-CH(3)CN and was delivered by a gradient program of 35 min. The detection and quantitation was performed on a photodiode array detector at 275 and 255 nm. Caffeine (7.5 ng/microL) was used as the internal standard (IS). Analytes were isolated from tissue samples by 0.1% methanolic TFA solution. SPE, using LiChrolut RP-18 cartridges, was applied for further purification. The extraction protocol was optimized and the final recoveries varied between 92.0 and 107.4%. The method was fully validated according to Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. Limits of quantitation for the examined quinolones extracted from each tissue were much lower than the respective Maximum Residue Levels, ranging between 30 and 50 microg/kg for bovine tissue, between 30 and 55 microg/kg for ovine tissue, and between 40 and 50 microg/kg for porcine tissue.

A specific CE-MS method was developed for the simultaneous determination of 12 antibacterial residues (four sulfonamides: sulfamethazine, sulfathiazole, sulfadiazine, and sulfachlorpyridazine; four beta-lactams: amoxicillin, ampicillin, oxacillin, and penicillin V, and four quinolones: danofloxacin, enrofloxacin, ofloxacin, and flumequine) in fish and livestock. Separation conditions, sheath liquid composition and electrospray parameters were optimized to obtain adequate CE separation and a high sensitivity. CE employed a 75 cm long fused-silica capillary (50 cm thermostated plus 25 cm at room temperature) 75 microm id and a 60 mM ammonium acetate separation buffer at pH 8 with 10% of methanol. The minimum number of identification points, according to the 2002/657/EC European Decision, was achieved using an IT in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. For quantification in meat and fish samples, a two-step procedure was developed using ACN to extract the antibacterials and to precipitate the proteins and dispersive SPE, with C18 to clean up the extract. External matrix matched calibration curves were used to achieve accurate quantitative results. The LODs and LOQs (below 18 and 50 ng/kg, respectively) were in all cases lower than the maximum residue limits for these compounds in meat and fish. The recoveries ranged from 78 to 97% and the precision with RSDs lower than 18% indicate the potential of CE-MS for the analysis of multiclass antibacterial residues in food. The method was applied to meat and fish samples taken from markets, slaughterhouses, and fish farms.

A rapid CE coupled with potential gradient detection (PGD) for the separation and detection of four quinolones, namely, enoxacin, ofloxacin (OFL), fleroxacin, and pazufloxacin, was described. Separation was performed in a fused-silica capillary (75 microm x 8.5 cm) using a buffer of 30 mM Tris and 4 mM phosphoric acid at pH 8.9. Under the separation voltage of 3 kV, the quinolones were separated within 2.8 min with good linearity (r(2) >or= 0.985). The method was successfully applied in determining OFL in a pharmaceutical formulation. Also, a liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) method was developed and coupled to CE-PGD in determining quinolones that spiked in milk samples. With dichloromethane and hexane for enrichment and purification, the LLE recoveries of the four quinolones were in the range of 77-106%. The detection limits of the quinolones with LLE-CE-PGD were from 23 to 65 ng/mL. The proposed CE-PGD method was validated with an HPLC method, and the results indicated consistency between the two methods.

A rapid and sensitive analytical method was developed for the residue analysis of ten quinolones (enoxacin (ENO), ofloxacin (OFL), norfloxacin (NOR), ciprofloxacin (CIP), danofloxacin (DAN), enrofloxacin (ENR), sarafloxacin (SAR), oxolinic acid (OXO), nalidixic acid (NAL), and flumequine (FLU)) in cow's milk. The analytes were extracted from milk by a deproteinization step followed by a simple SPE cleanup procedure using LiChrolut RP-18 Merck cartridges. Recoveries varied between 75 and 92%. HPLC separation was performed at 25 degrees C using an ODS-3 PerfectSil Target (250 x 4 mm(2)) 5 microm analytical column (MZ-Analysentechnik, Germany). The mobile phase consisted of a mixture of TFA 0.1%-CH(3)CN-CH(3)OH, delivered by a gradient program at the flow rate of 1.2 mL/min. Elution of the ten analytes and the internal standard (caffeine, 7.5 ng/microL) was completed within 27 min. Column effluent was monitored using a photodiode array detector, set at 275 and 255 nm. The developed method was validated according to the criteria of Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. The LODs of the specific method of quinolones' determination in milk varied between 1.5 and 6.8 ng/microL.

An HPLC method with diode-array detection, at 355 nm, was developed and validated for the determination of seven tetracyclines (TCs) in milk: minocycline (MNC), TC, oxytetracycline (OTC), methacycline (MTC), demeclocycline (DMC), chlortetracycline (CTC), and doxycycline (DC). Oxalate buffer (pH 4) was used with 20% TCA as a deproteinization agent for the extraction of analytes from milk followed by SPE. The separation was achieved on an Inertsil ODS-3, 5 microm, 250 x 4 mm(2 )analytical column at ambient temperature. The mobile phase, a mixture of A: 0.01 M oxalic acid and B: CH(3)CN, was delivered using a gradient program. The procedure was validated according to the European Union decision 2002/657/EC determining selectivity, stability, decision limit, detection capability, accuracy, and precision. Mean recoveries of TCs from spiked milk samples (50, 100, and 200 ng/g) were 93.8-100.9% for MNC, 96.8-103.7% for OTC, 96.3-101.8% for TC, 99.4-107.2% for DMC, 99.4-102.9% for CTC, 96.3-102.7% for MTC, and 94.6-102.1% for DC. All RSD values were lower than 8.5%. The decision limits CC(a) calculated by spiking 20 blank milk samples at MRL (100 microg/kg) ranged from 101.25 to 105.84 microg/kg, while detection capability CC(b )from 103.94 to 108.88 microg/kg.

A simple chromatographic method is described for assaying 15 quinolones and fluoroquinolones (pipemidic acid, marbofloxacin, enoxacin, ofloxacin, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, danofloxacin, lomefloxacin, enrofloxacin, sarafloxacin, difloxacin, oxolinic acid, nalidixic acid, flumequine and piromidic acid), in urine and pharmaceutical samples. The determination was achieved by LC using an RP C18 analytical column. A mobile phase composed of mixtures of methanol-ACN-10 mM citrate buffer at pH 3.5 and 10 mM citrate buffer at pH 4.5, delivered under an optimum gradient program, at a flow rate of 1.5 mL/min, allows to accomplish the chromatographic separation in 26 min. For detection, diode-array UV-Vis at 280 nm and fluorescence detection set at excitation wavelength/emission wavelength: 280/450, 280/ 495, 280/405 and 320/360 nm were used. Detection and quantification limits were between 0.3-18 and 0.8-61 ng/mL, respectively. The method was validated in terms of interday (n = 6) and intraday (n = 6) precision and accuracy. The procedure was successfully applied to the analysis of human and veterinary pharmaceuticals. Also, ofloxacin was determined in human urine samples belonging to a patient undergoing treatment with this active principle, among others.

A specific pressure-assisted CE-MS method is described for the analysis of five quinolone residues. MS using a single quadrupole is compared with multiple-stage MS using a quadrupole IT (QIT-MS(n)). The procedure involves a common sample preparation by SPE on disposable cartridges. The most suitable electrolyte is 60 mM (NH(4))(2)CO(3) at pH 9.2. Single quadrupole does not provide enough fragmentation to confirm identities according to the current legislation. However, QIT-MS(n) achieves selective fragmentation. Using this method, danofloxacin, enrofloxacin, flumequine, ofloxacin, and pipemidic acid are analyzed in fortified samples of chicken and fish. Recoveries at levels of 50 ng/g were 62-99%, except for flumequine, which gives recoveries > or =45%. RSDs are from 9 to 16% and the LOD is equal (20 ng/g) for the five analytes. Confirmation of the quinolones' identity is achieved using QIT-MS(3). Forty samples of chicken and fish taken from different local markets are analyzed. Enrofloxacin is also determined in incurred chicken muscle using this method.

In this work, the development of two solid-phase extraction procedures (off-line and on-line formats) for the identification and quantification of several (fluoro)quinolones in hospital sewage water by HPLC-UV is described. Both procedures are based on the use of C18 and anion exchange (SAX) sorbents for the preconcentration and clean-up steps, respectively, and all variables influencing both steps were optimised. In the off-line format, after its pH was adjusted to 2.5, sample was preconcentrated on a C18 cartridge and eluted with 4 mL of methanol/ammonia (94/6). The methanolic extract must be diluted up to 10 mL with water to allow quantitative retention of the analytes on the SAX cartridge. In the on-line format, the addition of 2.5% of NH4Cl to the sewage water sample (pH = 2.5) was necessary to increase the breakthrough volumes of the analytes in the C18 precolumn. Quantitative transfer of the (fluoro)quinolones from the C18 precolumn to the SAX precolumn was accomplished by pumping 2 mL of a mixture methanol/water (40/60, pH = 9.2) at 2 mL min(-1). Elution of the analytes from the SAX precolumn by means of the chromatographic mobile phase required the inclusion of an additional isocratic step at the beginning of the gradient program. Both off-line and on-line solid phase extraction procedures coupled to HPLC-UV were applied to the analysis of a sewage water sample collected in the sewer system at the output of the St Dimphna Hospital (Geel, Belgium). The fluoroquinolone ciprofloxacin was found in this sample and quantified at 5.8 +/- 0.4 microg L(-1) (off-line method) and 5.6 +/- 0.5 microg L(-1) (on-line method). The analysis of spiked samples containing the seven (fluoro)quinolones studied provided quantitative recoveries in all cases with low RSD values (from 6 to 12%), and all the analytes could be identified by means of their UV spectra with match factors varying from 950 to 985 depending on the (fluoro)quinolone.

In this work, several commercial sorbents (Zorbax C18, Bond Elut C18, Isolute ENV+, Oasis HLB, Oasis MAX, SDB-RPS, and MPC-SD) were compared for the solid-phase extraction of the series of quinolones regulated by the European Community in chicken tissues in order to establish a method for the determination of this series of quinolones by capillary electrophoresis and diode array detection. Sorbents were chosen in order to achieve maximum recoveries and optimal clean-up efficiency. Better results were obtained using SDB-RPS and Oasis MAX which would provide suitable limits of detection, below of the maximum residue limits (MRLs) regulated.

A method for the residue analysis of the veterinary antimicrobial agent enrofloxacin and its active desethyl metabolite ciprofloxacin in chicken muscle tissue has been developed and validated. The detection of the analytes was performed by laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection using a HeCd laser (lambda(ex) = 325 nm) providing an enhancement in sensitivity and selectivity compared to conventional UV detection. The assay has been validated with satisfying results. The limits of quantification for enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin were 5 microg/kg and 20 microg/kg, respectively, with a fivefold preconcentration yielded by a sample clean-up with a simple liquid-liquid extraction procedure. Calibration graphs were linear from 5 to 1000 microg/kg for enrofloxacin and from 20 to 1000 microg/kg for ciprofloxacin. The assay allows the detection of contaminated muscle samples at the required maximum residue limit of the European Union, which is 100 microg/kg for the sum of enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin.

We show the potential of nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis (NACE) for analyzing enrofloxacin (ENR), ciprofloxacin (CPR), danofloxacin (DAN), difloxacin (DIF), marbofloxacin (MAR), flumequine (FLU), and oxolinic acid (OXA) in pig kidney samples. We have studied the effects of parameters such as the composition of the organic media, the choice of electrolyte, the pH* of the background electrolyte (BGE), the addition of modifiers, and the reversal of electroosmotic flow. Separation was good with 20 mM ammonium acetate, 0.004% polycation hexadimethrine bromide (HDB), and 4% acetic acid (pH* 5.4) in methanol/acetonitrile (50:50 v/v) medium. We used a quick and simple sample preparation method, hydrochloric acid as an extractant and solid-phase extraction (SPE) with Baker C18 cartridges as the cleanup step. Recoveries for all quinolones were over 80%.