Determination of Lasalocid Sodium in Animal Feeds and Premixes by Reversed-Phase Liquid Chromatography: Collaborative Study

A liquid chromatographic (LC) method for the analysis of lasalocid sodium in premixes, complete animal feeds, and trace-level feeds was collaboratively studied. The method employs a 0.5% HCl acidified methanol extraction followed by 20 min sonication in a water bath heated to 40°C. Samples are then shaken on a mechanical shaker for 1 h and stored overnight, followed by an additional 10 min shaking the following morning. Sample extracts are diluted if necessary with extractant, filtered, and injected onto an LC system. Determination of all lasalocid homologs is by reversed-phase LC with fluorescence detection at 314 nm excitation and 418 nm emission. Eight samples of drug premixes, medicated feeds, and mineral supplements, along with 2 samples for trace-level analysis were sent to 20 collaborators in the United States, Canada, and The Netherlands. Study data were returned by 17 laboratories. Two additional supplemental trace-level samples and a blank feed were provided to 15 of the collaborating laboratories, and test data were received from all 15 participants. For the drug premixes, medicated feeds, and mineral supplements, RSD(r) values (within-laboratory repeatability) ranged from 1.2 to 19.9%, RSD(R) values (among-laboratory reproducibility) ranged from 3.4 to 32.3%, and HorRat values ranged from 0.35 to 3.73. For the trace-level samples, only lasalocid A, the predominant homolog comprising >90% of the sum of all homolog peak area, was quantified. All laboratories correctly identified the analyte. Although some instrument response was reported by a number of laboratories for the blank feed, all but one laboratory's results were well below the 1 mg/kg limit of quantification. RSD(r) values for the initial 2 trace-level samples were excessive, ranging from 51.6 to 64.4%. RSD(R) values ranged from 51.6 to 75.7%, and HorRat values ranged from 3.6 to 4.0. Data for the initial trace-level samples indicated that the test samples were improperly prepared to ensure homogeneity, and a new set of supplemental samples was provided to collaborators, with significantly improved results. RSD(r) values for the 2 supplemental trace-level samples ranged from 1.6 to 2.5%, RSD(R) values ranged from 5.6 to 9.2%, and HorRat values ranged from 0.43 to 0.62.