Determination of clenbuterol in bovine liver by combining matrix solid phase dispersion and molecularly imprinted solid phase extraction followed by liquid chromatography/electrospray ion trap multiple stage mass spectrometry

Matrix solid-phase dispersion(MSPD) is a new sample pretreatment for solid samples. This technique greatly simplifies sample pretreatment but, nonethe less, the extracts often still require an extra cleanup step that is both l aborious and time-consuming. The potential;of combining MSPD with molecular ly imprinted solid-phase extraction (MISPE) was investigated in this study. Liver samples were ground in a mortar with Cls sorbent and the homogenized mixture packed into an SPE cartridge and placed on top of a MISPE cartridg e. Subsequently, clenbuterol was eluted from the MSPD cartridge onto the MI SPE cartridge using acetonitrile containing 1% acetic acid.:The ability of the molecularly imprinted polymer to selectively adsorb analyte in acetonit rile was exploited for re-extracting clenbuterol directly from this acetoni trile extract via the double cartridge tandem system. The analyte was elute d from the MISPE cartridge using acidified methanol, A clear eluate was obt ained, which was subsequently evaporated, redissolved, and analyzed by HPLC electrochemical detection (ECD) or ion trap mass spectrometry (LC/IT-MS). The MISPE cartridge used in this study was imprinted using bromoclenbuterol , a structural analogue of clenbuterol, as the template. These MISPE cartri dges showed excellent stability. The complete extraction procedure was rapi d,and recoveries exceeded 90% for the target analyte. The method detection limit for the LC/IT-MS procedure was < 0.1 mug/kg. This method, therefore, satisfies the stringent requirements of European Union regulation EEC 2377/ 90.