Multi-residue Methods for Pharmaceutical Residues

Multi-residue analytical methods are those designed for circumstances where several analytes are to be measured in the same procedure. These multiple analytes could be closely related (e.g., antimicrobial compounds of a given structural type), or be used for a common purpose (e.g., antimicrobials of all kinds), or an even broader class of compounds (e.g., pharmaceutical compounds in general). 

Clearly, different compromises must be applied compared with those for analytical methods that target only one or two specific compounds, with respect to analysis time, degree and level of validation criteria including accuracy and precision, recovery, confirmation of identity etc. The broader the class of compounds to be analyzed, the lower the level of validation that is possible, unless it is accepted that large amounts of time and resources are available. Usually broad class multi-residue analyses are designed as semi-quantitative screening methods usually followed by identity confirmation. This section describes some examples of such methods developed for pharmaceutical and pesticide residues in water. 

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