Determination of β-agonists in pig feed, pig urine and pig liver using capillary electrophoresis with electrochemical detection

Abstract: The fast separation capability of a capillary electrophoresis with electrochemical detection (CE–ED) system was demonstrated by determining five β-agonists including clenbuterol, metoprolol, ractopamine, isoxsuprine and salbutamol in several real samples. Factors influencing the separation and detection were examined and optimized. Under the optimum conditions, the five β-agonists could be well separated within 15min at a separation voltage of 14kV in a 100mmoL H3BO3–Na2B4O7 running buffer (pH 9.0). This method was successfully used in the analysis of clenbuterol, metoprolol, ractopamine, isoxsuprine and salbutamol in pig feed, pig urine and pig liver, providing a useful method for monitoring the illegal use of β-agonists from growth promotion in food-producing animals. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]