Validation of a liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous quantification of 11 (fluoro)quinolone antibiotics in swine kidney

A LC–MS–MS method has been validated for the simultaneous quantification of 11 (fluoro)quinolone antibiotics at the maximum residue level (MRL) in swine kidney. The studied compounds were danofloxacine, cinoxacine, ciprofloxacine, enoxacine, enrofloxacine, flumequine, marbofloxacine, nalidixic acid, norfloxacine, ofloxacine and oxolinic acid. The method involves solid-phase extraction of these compounds followed by LC–MS–MS analysis using an electrospray ionisation interface. Limits of quantification ≤50 μg/kg could be obtained in swine kidney, much lower than every MRL. The validation is discussed. This work was carried out in order to support the European Union policy on consumer health protection.