Determination of a method for detecting and quantifying azaperone, azaperol and carazolol in pig tissues by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A quick, simple method for quantifying carazolol, azaperol and azaperone is described. Liquid extraction was followed by a clean-up on an Oasis(R) SPE cartridge. The analytes were separated by HPLC and analysed by MS-MS with atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation in the positive mode. The method w as applied to muscle and kidney from untreated pigs, the samples being spik ed with the three molecules of interest. Recovery was between 70 and 106%. Quantification parameters were also good: the accuracy was between 80 and 1 10% and the coefficient of variation did not exceed 16%, being below 8% for 90% of the samples. Linearity was good from MRL/4 to 2MRL. For unequivocal identification of each analyte, four ions were detected. The method proved very suitable for routine analysis. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science BN. All righ ts reserved.