Rapid determination and risk evaluation of multi-class antibiotics in aquatic products by one-step purification process coupled with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive and robust multiclass analytical method was established to simultaneously determine 55 antibiotics in aquatic products through liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. A simple one-step purification process was successfully developed, which combined post-acidic acetonitrile extraction directly by an enhanced matrix removal cartridge. This approach eliminated the need for solvent transition. The established method for 55 antibiotics achieved an excellent linear relationship with R 2 values ≥ 0.9921 in the range of 0.05–200 μg/L. The quantitation limits ranged within 0.04–5.0 μg/kg. Satisfactory recoveries (76.2%–99.7 %) were achieved with the relative standard deviations below 13.9 %. Furthermore, the antibiotic residues in aquatic products were analyzed, and the health and antibiotic resistance risk assessments were conducted. Although the health risks of target antibiotics were acceptable, a resistance risk was observed. Therefore, monitoring antibiotic residue levels in aquatic products requires considerable attention and further research to ensure the quality of marine products and consumer safety.