Determination of a method for detecting and quantifying azaperone, azaperol and carazolol in pig tissues by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

A quick, simple method for quantifying carazolol, azaperol and azaperone is described. Liquid extraction was followed by a clean-up on an Oasis® SPE cartridge. The analytes were separated by HPLC and analysed by MS–MS with atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation in the positive mode. The method was applied to muscle and kidney from untreated pigs, the samples being spiked with the three molecules of interest. Recovery was between 70 and 106%. Quantification parameters were also good: the accuracy was between 80 and 110% and the coefficient of variation did not exceed 16%, being below 8% for 90% of the samples. Linearity was good from MRL/4 to 2MRL. For unequivocal identification of each analyte, four ions were detected. The method proved very suitable for routine analysis.