A versatile liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry system for the analysis of different groups of veterinary drugs

Abstract This work describes an analytical strategy, based on liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS–MS), with a generic chromatographic system in which it is possible to analyse corticosteroids (CORT), β-agonists (BAG), chloramphenicol (CAP) and penicillins (PEN). The same mobile phase solvents and column were used, and only gradient tables and mass spectrometry acquisition methods were changed depending on the family of compounds to analyse. Different batches of final extracts, proceeding from different analytical methods, may be included in a single sequence and run overnight. Sequence programming and LC–MS–MS conditions are included and typical chromatograms are presented. The proposed approach makes the performance of the analysis of veterinary drug residues more simple, cost-effective and less time-consuming.