Determination of a metabolite of nifursol in foodstuffs of animal origin by liquid-liquid extraction and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

An analytical method has been developed for the detection of a metabolite of nifursol, 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid hydrazide, in foodstuffs of animal origin (chicken liver, pork liver, lobster, shrimp, eel, sausage, and honey). The method combines liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry with liquid-liquid extraction. Samples were hydrolyzed with hydrochloric acid and derivatized with 2-nitrobenzaldehyde at 37°C for 16 h. The solutions of derivatives were adjusted to pH 7.0-7.5, and the metabolite was extracted with ethyl acetate. 3,5-Dinitrosalicylic acid hydrazide determination was performed in the negative electrospray ionization method. Both isotope-labeled internal standard and matrix-matched calibration solutions were used to correct the matrix effects. Limits of quantification were 0.5 μg/kg for all samples. The average recoveries, measured at three concentration levels (0.5, 2.0, and 10 μg/kg) were in the range of 75.8-108.4% with relative standard deviations below 9.8%. The developed method exhibits a high sensitivity and selectivity for the routine determination and confirmation of the presence of a metabolite of nifursol in foodstuffs of animal origin.