Analysis of β 2 -agonists in cattle hair samples using a rapid UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS method.

A simple and efficient method was developed for simultaneous analysis of five illegal residual β ₂ -agonists in cattle hair. β ₂ -Agonists were quantified by ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry operating in positive multiple-reaction monitoring mode. The method was validated as quantitative confirmatory method according to the EU Decision 2002/657/EC: instrumental linearity, specificity, precision, recovery, decision limit (CCα) and detection capability (CCβ) were evaluated. The recovery were greater than 90% and the method appeared suitable for the control of these β ₂ -agonists in cattle hair samples with LOQ values between 4.9 and 5.5 μg/kg. This method could represent a simple and cheap approach to confirm β ₂ -agonists contamination of cattle for feeding in a not invasive way and before slaughter operations.