Development of an analytical system for the simultaneous determination of anabolic macrocyclic lactones in aquatic environmental samples

An analytical procedure that enables routine analysis for trace determinati on of six anabolic macrocyclic lactones (zearalenone, alpha and beta -zeara lenol, zearalanone, zeranol, and taleranol) in sewage treatment plant (STP) samples has been developed. The method uses solid-phase extraction, follow ed by high-performance liquid chromatography with on-line tandem mass spect rometry using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (LC/APCI-MS/MS). The extraction of these compounds from filtered water samples was performed of f-line with Gs solid-phase cartridges. The detection was achieved by isocra tic reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with an h eated nebulizer (HN) APCI interface operating in negative ion mode. Mean re covery of the analytes in STP effluent samples generally exceeded 81%. This method was used to determine the occurrence of target analytes in the aqua tic environment. In the selected STP effluent samples, zearalenone and alph a -zearalenol were detected in the ng/L range. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wile y & Sons, Ltd.