Development and validation of a multiresidue liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method for 11 coccidiostats in feed.

A confirmatory method for the determination of 11 regulated coccidiostats including the ionophore antibiotics lasalocid, maduramicin, monensin, narasin, salinomycin, and semduramicin and the chemical coccidiostats decoquinate, diclazuril, halofuginone, nicarbazin, and robenidine in animal feed was developed and validated. The procedure was intended for the identification and quantification of the coccidiostats at concentrations relating both to the unintentional carryover as stated in Regulation 574/2011 and to the authorized levels in target feed. The analytes were determined by LC/MS/MS in the positive or negative electrospray ionization mode. The method performance characteristics were estimated in the relevant application field from 0.003 to 200 mg/kg. Validation criteria of linearity, specificity, trueness, precision, LOD, and LOQ along with measurement uncertainty were estimated for all analytes. Absolute and relative matrix effects were also studied. The results proved that the method performance was satisfactory, and it was successfully applied to carryover control by analyzing 165 feed samples collected within regulatory monitoring plans. Finally, since the carryover phenomenon in feed may result in the presence of residues in food products of animal origin, a survey has been carried out on the occurrence of coccidiostats in 167 eggs and animal muscles.