This note describes a determination method for tetracyclines using HPLC-fluorescence detection system. The method is based on the analytical procedures announced from Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare.
Three tetracycline antibiotics (oxytetracycline, tetracycline, and chlortetracycline) are regulated, and the guideline values were established at values ranging from 0.1 to 1.2 ppm (shown in the last page).
The procedures consist of depoteination, liquid-liquid extraction, solid-phase extraction (SPE), and HPLC analysis. Two mobile phase conditions for HPLC analysis are described: one is for simultaneous determination of oxytetracycline and tetracycline, the other is for analsysis of chlortetracycline.
The separation was successfully achieved, and the obtained calibration curves were linear in the range of 0.1-2.0 mg/L.