Analysis of enrofloxacin and its metabolite ciprofloxacin in bovine and porcine muscle by high-performance liquid chromatography following cation exchange clean-up.

A simple and rapid method of analysis for the trace residue determination of enrofloxacin and its metabolite ciprofloxacin has been developed. Clean-up of the samples is by cation exchange solid phase extraction (SPE) and determination made by high-performance liquid chromatography using a base-deactivated column and fluorescence detection. The method has been validated for the determination of residues in bovine and porcine muscle tissue and bacon. Recoveries at the 0.010 mg kg-1 level for enrofloaxacin and ciprofloxacin respectively were 90%, 75% in bovine muscle, 75%, 54% in porcine muscle and 81%, 63% in bacon. Determination to the 0.001 mg kg-1 level in bovine muscle and to the 0.002 mg kg-1 level in porcine muscle and bacon was also carried out. The method has been used as a quantitative screening procedure.