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, beta-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.