Determination of chloramphenicol residues in milk by gas and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry methods

Analytical methods based on gas chromatography- mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) and liquid chromatography- mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) were developed for the determination of chloramphenicol (CAP) in milk. GC-MS/MS was performed in negative chemical ionization (NCI) mode by monitoring the transitions - m/z 466→304, 466→322, and the results were compared with LC-MS/MS, in electrospray mode by monitoring the transitions of all the selected ions m/z 321→152, 321→257. The decision limit (CCα) for CAP determination by LC-MS/MS was established at a level of 0.11 µg/kg, while the corresponding value for GC-MS/MS was 0.083 µg/kg. Detection capability (CCß) for CAP by LC- MS/MS was 0.15µg/kg and for GC-MS/MS was 0.14 µg/kg. As it was found, both methods are useful for CAP determination in milk.