Detection of Sulfonamide Residues by Paper Spray Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

Sulfonamide antibiotics are commonly used veterinary drugs in livestock to prevent or treat infectious diseases. Their residues in food are of concern since they can cause adverse health effects and development of bacterial resistance. In this work, a practical method for detection and quantification of sulfamethazine, one of sulfonamide antibiotics, in pig body fluid samples is developed via the combination of simple extraction and paper spray mass spectrometry. The method required minimal sample preparation and low analysis time while providing high sensitivity and accuracies in pig whole blood (LOD = 10.1 ng/mL, %recovery = 95.4-104.1%), pig serum (LOD = 4.6 ng/mL, %recovery = 103.2-105.4%), and synthetic urine (LOD = 3.5 ng/mL, %recovery = 99.0-103.4%). From previously known correlation between the level of sulfamethazine in pig body fluids and edible tissue, this method could be used for rapid screening of drug residue which can aid the managerial decision in the livestock industry.