Liquid chromatography–electrospray tandem mass spectrometric method for quantification of monensin in plasma and edible tissues of chicken used in pharmacokinetic studies: Applying a total error approach

A liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometric (LC–MS/MS) method was developed and validated for use in pharmacokinetic studies in order to determine the concentrations of monensin in plasma and edible tissues of chicken. Two sample preparations were performed, one for determining monensin concentrations in plasma using acetonitrile for protein precipitation and another one for determining monensin concentrations in muscle, liver, and fat using methanol–water followed by a clean up on a solid-phase extraction cartridge. Sample extracts were injected into the LC–MS/MS system, and a gradient elution was performed on a C18 column. Narasin was used as internal standard. The LC–MS/MS method was validated using an approach based on accuracy profiles, and applicability of the method was demonstrated for the determination of monensin in chicken plasma, muscle, liver, and fat in a pharmacokinetic study.