Determination of quinolones in chicken tissues by liquid chromatography with ultraviolet absorbance detection

This paper presents an analytical method for the determination of quinolones in chicken tissues. The procedure involves pre-treatment by solid-phase extraction (SPE) and subsequent liquid chromatography (LC) with UV absorbance detection. Different SPE disposable cartridges and extractants of the tissue samples were tested, and various columns were systematically tested. The mobile phase was composed of acetonitrile and citric buffer at pH 4.5, with an initial composition of acetonitrile–water (12:88, v/v) and using linear gradient elution. Recoveries were 66–91% in the concentration range 30–300 μg kg−1. The detector response was linear in this range. The limits of detection were 16–30 μg kg−1. These values were lower than the maximum residue limits established by the European Union.