Analysis of antibiotics by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry

The current status of the application of LC–MS in the analysis of antibiotic and antibacterial compounds is reviewed. The main application area of LC–MS in this field is the confirmation of identity in animal food products for human consumption at maximum residue levels, set by the regulatory authorities. LC–MS is found to play an important role in the determination and confirmation of sulphonamides, β-lactam antibiotics, (fluoro)quinolone antibiotics, as well as various other groups including aminoglycosides, chloramphenicol, ionophore antibiotics, 5-nitrofuran derived compounds and macrolide antibiotics. Currently available data on these compound classes are reviewed, with special emphasis on important aspects especially relevant to LC–MS and on the mass spectral information obtained.