Magnetic zinc based 2D-metal organic framework as an efficient adsorbent for simultaneous determination of fluoroquinolones using 3D printed microchip and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

Herein, a two dimensional metal-organic framework (2D MOF) is introduced as an efficient adsorbent for simultaneously extraction of fluoroquinolones (FQs) from milk samples. The proposed MOF was synthesized by solvothermal method. The high surface area and high accessible sites of prepared MOF offered a unique adsorbent for solid phase extraction (SPE). The experiments showed the great ability of 2D MOF for the retention of ofloxacin (OF), ciprofloxacin (CIP) and norfloxacin (NOR). It was also found that acetic acid (ACA) solution can effectively elute the adsorbed FQs with a high recovery, eliminating the need for other toxic organic elution solvents, which are utilized for the common C18 cartridges. A 3D printed microchip containing a microcolumn was also examined for the SPE process using magnetic composite of 2D MOF, which was fix inside the column using simple magnet. The extracted analytes were gathered to be analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), as the potent detection system. The results demonstrated the great ability of MOF toward the extraction of tested FQs with a breakdown point of 1200 ng mL(-1) for each analyte in their mixed solution. The method showed an acceptable selectivity toward the FQs and no interfering effect was observed by other compounds. It was able to detect OF, NOR and CIP in the range of 0.5-1000 ng mL(-1) in milk samples and the detection limits were 0.012, 0.009 and 0.016 ng mL(-1), respectively.

Automated summary

The 2D metal-organic framework (MOF) proved to be an efficient adsorbent for simultaneous extraction of fluoroquinolones (FQs). The use of acetic acid solution for elution showed high recovery without the need for toxic organic solvents. The method demonstrated great selectivity and sensitivity in detecting OF, NOR, and CIP in milk samples.