Validation of a method for detecting and quantifying tranquillisers and a β-blocker in pig tissues by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry Original Research Article

A quick, simple method is described for quantifying promazine derivatives (propionylpromazine, acepromazine and chlorpromazine), xylazine, carazolol, azaperone, and the latter’s main metabolite, azaperol. Liquid extraction was followed by a clean-up on an Oasis® SPE cartridge. For unequivocal identification of each analyte, two ions were detected. Validation was carried out on kidney and muscle samples spiked respectively with 1 and 2.5 g kg−1, in the case of molecules for which there is no Maximum Residue Limit (MRL). For the other molecules, the MRL value was taken into account. The method described meets all the criteria of the SANCO directive and is easy to use in routine analysis. Tissue-level elimination was studied in animals treated with these molecules.