Sensitive and Fast Determination of Ceftiofur in Honey and Veterinary Formulation by HPLC-UV Method with Pre-column Derivatization.

A novel, sensitive and rapid high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for the determination of ceftiofur by pre-column derivatization with 1,2-naphthoquinone-4-sulfonate. Analysis was performed within 5 min on a Kinetex C18 column based on core-shell technology. The mobile phase composed of acetonitrile-water (50:50, v/v) pumped isocratically at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min under UV detection at 254 nm. The factors affecting the derivatization reaction and separation conditions were carefully evaluated and optimized. The method was linear over the concentration range of 45-450 ng/mL with a limit of detection of 3.29 ng/mL and limit of quantitation of 10.97 ng/mL. The new method was successfully applied for the analysis of ceftiofur in the veterinary formulation and honey with average recoveries of 100.78% and 98. 83%, respectively. The present method is suitable and favorable for the analysis of ceftiofur on account of its sensitivity, rapidity and cost-effectiveness. In addition, it could have significant application for the determination of ceftiofur in other food products.