Rapid quantification of trace chloramphenicol in honey under ambient conditions using direct analysis via real-time QTRAP mass spectrometry

In this paper, we employed a direct analysis in real time (DART) ion source coupled to QTRAP mass spectrometry for the analysis of chloramphenicol (CAP) in honey. The accuracy of the DART-MS/MS method for the analysis of CAP in honey was evaluated by comparison with data generated by a validated HPLC-MS/MS method. The sample preparation procedure was optimized to obtain sensitive and accurate determination of trace CAP residue in honey at concentrations less than 1.0 µg/kg. The DART-MS/MS method offers faster analysis time, lower cost per analysis, and reduced matrix effects and simplicity compared to HPLC-MS/MS method. Fifty-two honey samples collected from a Chinese market were analyzed using two methods. The results of the two methods are in good agreement, suggesting DART-MS/MS as a potential technique for the direct detection of trace amounts of veterinary drugs in complex matrixes.