Determination of fluoroquinolones in chicken muscle by molecularly imprinted graphitic carbon nitride-based solid-phase extraction and ultra-performance liquid chromatography

A graphitic carbon nitride was synthesised and nalidixic acid (NA) based molecularly imprinted microspheres (MIMs) were polymerised on its surface to create a composite material. After characterisation and evaluation of its absorption ability, the composite was used to prepare a solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridge for purification of fluoroquinolones in chicken muscle, analysed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography. The cartridge showed high absorption capacities (378–559 μg) and high recoveries (92.1–99.4%) for eight fluoroquinolones, and could be reused at least 20 times. The limits of detection for the 8 drugs were 0.2–0.8 ng g−1, and recoveries from standard fortified blank chicken muscle samples were 71.9–96.8%. This is the first study reporting the use of molecularly imprinted graphitic carbon nitride composite to determine the residue of veterinary drug in foods of animal origin.