Response surface–optimized QuEChERS-UPLC-MS/MS method for multi-antibiotic determination and dietary risk assessment in animal-derived foods

Antibiotic residues in animal-derived foods raise food safety concerns. This study developed a QuEChERS–UPLC–MS/MS method for the simultaneous detection of multiple antibiotics in animal-derived foods. Key QuEChERS pretreatment parameters were systematically optimized using response surface methodology with a central composite design to identify the optimal extraction solvents, salting-out agents, and clean-up sorbents. Method validation met the requirements of European Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/808, confirming suitability for rapid determination of 85 antibiotics across diverse food matrices. Analysis of 590 samples detected antibiotic residues in 39.8% of samples, representing 36 different antibiotics. Health risk assessment showed a Hazard Index (HI) < 1, indicating low risk at current consumption levels for the local population. Nevertheless, this high detection frequency highlights the need for continued monitoring of antibiotic residues in animal-derived foods.