Determination of Matrine and Rotenone Residues in Aquatic Products by Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry

A method for the determination of matrine and rotenone residues in aquatic products by liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometric method was described. The analytes were extracted from homogenised tissue using acetonitrile-ammonium acetate buffer. After adding sodium chloride to separate to the analytes by salting-out, the n-hexane was used to defat. Rapid chromatographic separation was achieved on Agilent Zobax SB-C(18) column in the mobile phase composition of 20 mmol/L ammonium acetate buffer consisting formic acid as ion-pair agent and acetonitrile. Detection is carried out using poistive-ion electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. The method is accurate, specific and sensitive for the determination of matrine and rotenone residues in aquatic products in the concentration range of 0. 001 - 0. 05 mg/kg. The average recoveries and the relative standard deviation ranged from 82. 3%-96. 1% and 6. 1% - 12. 6%, respectively, in spiked tissue samples at concentration levels ranging from 0. 002 mg/kg to 0. 2 mg/kg of each analytes. The limits of detection (LOD) of matrine and rotenone were 0. 86 and 0. 53 mu g/kg respectively. This method is suitable for the determination of matrine and rotenone residues in aquactic products and the pharmacokinetics study.