azaperol and carazolol

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.

Topics: Animals; Antipsychotic Agents; Azaperone; Calibration; Chromatography, Liquid; Kidney; Mass Spectrometry; Muscles; Piperazines; Propanolamines; Pyridines; Quality Control; Reproducibility of Results; Swine

A method is described for the analytical determination of the neuroleptics azaperone (plus its metabolite azaperol), acetylpromazine, propionylpromazine, chlorpromazine and the beta-blocking agent carazolol in pork kidneys. These compounds may be used illegally to calm pigs during their transport to the abattoir. The kidney samples (plus atosil as an internal standard) are incubated with NaOH (90 degrees C, 60 min); the rather fluid samples are extracted with diethylether. The separation of interfering compounds in the extracts is achieved on a silica gel column. The remaining interfering compounds are removed with ether after acidification of the eluted material. After alkalization of the aqueous solution, the drugs are extracted with either and applied to a Symmetry RP18 column (mobile phase: acetate buffer solution pH 4.5/acetonitrile/tetrahydrofurane, 65/30/10 by volume by HPLC. Recovery in spiked samples of pork kidneys (recovery of 50 micrograms/kg, carazolol 5 micrograms/kg) was between 71.5% (for propionylpromazine) and 88% (for azaperol). The method was verified on samples of treated pigs.

Topics: Acepromazine; Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; Animals; Antipsychotic Agents; Azaperone; Chlorpromazine; Chromatography, Gel; Indicators and Reagents; Kidney; Piperazines; Propanolamines; Pyridines; Sensitivity and Specificity; Swine