Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for performing confirmatory analysis of veterinary drugs in animal-food products

This review focuses on recent developments and trends in liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, with a particular emphasis on tandem mass spectrometry and the new criteria established by the European Union for performing confirmatory analysis of veterinary drugs in animal-food products. The combination of liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry allows unequivocal identification of traces of antibiotics and antibacterial agents in complex biological matrices, such as honey, eggs, milk and meat. The sensitivity of the coupling is particularly useful for confirming the presence of banned substances that require limits of detection as low as possible. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.