Determination of clenbuterol in pig liver by high-performance liquid chromatography with a coulometric electrode array system Original Research Article

A method has been developed to determine clenbuterol in pig liver using HPLC with coulometric electrode array system, for this compound can be irreversibly oxidized at high potentials by ordinary methods. Investigation into the effect of the pH of mobile phase on the retention factor and peak height of clenbuterol was made. The electrochemical behavior of clenbuterol at graphite electrodes was taken into account. Optimization of different extract conditions was also performed. The samples were pretreated using liquid–liquid extraction based on diethyl ether and the organic layer was evaporated to dryness. The residue was dissolved in mobile phase and monitored by an ESA electrochemical detector. Four electrodes in series were used for quantitation and the potentials of electrodes were set at 450, 600, 650 and 680 mV, respectively. Calibration curve showed good linearity and the detection limit of clenbuterol was 1.2 ng/g. This method developed using HPLC–ECD is reproducible, and sensitive enough for the determination of clenbuterol in pig liver. It is easy to perform.