Evaluation of Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) Tandem Mass Spectrometry for Determination of Avermectin Residues in Milk

The study was conducted to evaluate the applicability of ultra high-performance liquid chromatography – tandem mass spectrometry method (UHPLC-MS/MS), establish the MS/MS detection parameters and determine the validation characteristics for the analysis of residual content of аvermectins in milk. The UHPLC-MS/MS method has proved to be accurate, practical and universal. This was confirmed by Decision limit (CCα) data: abamectin – 12.56 μg/kg, doramectin – 17.74 μg/kg, eprinomectin – 24.02 μg/kg, ivermectin – 12.53 μg/kg, moxidectin – 44.69 μg/kg, recovery is 88.7 – 110%. The data obtained for assessing the suitability, accuracy and reproducibility of the results meet the requirements of the European Directive (2002/657/EC). The efficient ultra high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method that was developed and adopted for routine use by the laboratories of veterinary medicine, allows to detect residual quantities of 5 avermectins used in animal breeding for the prevention of helminthiases in food products including milk.