Ultra trace detection of a wide range of anabolic steroids in meat by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry

The control on use of anabolic agents in meat producing animals is generall y based on urine, faeces or hair analysis. This exercise, which is usually performed in slaughterhouses or on farms, is not relevant to imported carca sses or retail meat. A single sensitive method for a wide range of anabolic steroids was developed. After extraction of the lyophilised meat, enzymati c hydrolysis was used for deconjugation. Solid-phase extraction on a polyme ric stationary phase was performed prior to hydrolysis of ester residues un der alkaline conditions. Liquid-liquid partitioning was used to separate th e analytes into two main categories: phenol containing molecules, such as p henolic steroids, resorcylic acid lactones and stilbenes, and Delta 4-3-one containing molecules, such as most androgens and progestagens. Solid-phase extraction on silica columns was performed before applying a specific deri vatisation for each compound sub-group. The combination of high-resolution chromatography with a quadrupole mass spectrometer permitted detection of 2 3 steroids in the 5-100 ng/kg range. Ion chromatograms for residue positive samples are shown and discussed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.