Determination of streptomycin in kiwifruit samples using LC-ESI-MS/MS

In May 2012, a safety hazard issue arose because some kiwifruit growers in New Zealand had sprayed streptomycin to prevent kiwifruit canker. Therefore, for food safety management, analytical methods to determine streptomycin residues in kiwifruits are required. We developed an analytical method to determine streptomycin residues in kiwifruit samples using liquid chromatograph tandem mass spectrometer (LC-ESI-MS/MS). Streptomycin residues in samples were extracted using 1% formic acid in methanol, centrifugation for 10 min, and subsequent supernatant filtration. Purified samples were subjected to LC-ESI-MS/MS to confirm presence of and quantify streptomycin residues. Average streptomycin recoveries (6 replicates each sample) were in the range of 94.8%-110.6% with relative standard deviations of 2 = 0.9995. The limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.01 mg/kg. Results showed that our analytical method is rapid, simple, and sensitive, with easy sample preparation.