A simple and rapid UHPLC-MS/MS method for the quantitation of pharmaceuticals and related compounds in mussels and oysters.

A simple, rapid UHPLC-MS/MS method has been developed and optimised for the quantitation of a range of pharmaceuticals, metabolites and related bioactive compounds in the bivalve mollusc species mussels (Mytilus edulis) and Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas). Shellfish tissues were extracted using a simple solvent-based extraction method prior to concentration and purification by pass-through SPE and quantified using stable isotope dilution tandem mass spectrometry. The analytes covered a range of therapeutic classes including antidepressants, anticonvulsants, beta-blockers and antiplatelets. Of the 34 compounds which were included in the study initially, 28 compounds were found to demonstrate acceptable performance. Performance was assessed by examining extraction efficiencies, matrix effects, sensitivity, and within- and between-batch precision. The results presented here show that as indicated by acceptable HorRat and accuracy values the method is fit for purpose. Application of this method to environmental mussel and oyster samples revealed the presence of 12 compounds at quantifiable concentrations, with the antidepressant sertraline being present at the highest level, reaching a concentration of 6.12 ng/g in mussel tissue. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.