Production of a matrix certified reference material for measurement and risk monitoring of clenbuterol in mutton

A novel matrix certified reference material (CRM) for clenbuterol in mutton (GBW 10216) was developed to assist measurement and risk monitoring of clenbuterol in mutton. The candidate CRM raw samples were obtained by oral administration of clenbuterol and investigating the pharmacokinetics of clenbuterol in sheep. A high-precision isotope dilution coupled with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ID-MS/MS) method was established and assigned the value of clenbuterol in mutton powder through combined detection of nine inter-laboratories. The certified value with expanded uncertainty was 21.1 ± 2.2 μg/kg ( k = 2, 95% confidence) for clenbuterol in mutton. The prepared matrix CRM was sufficiently homogeneous between and within bottles. The long-term stability of clenbuterol in mutton powder was evaluated for 12 months at −20℃ and short-term stability for 7 days at 4℃ and 50℃. The uncertainties originating from characterization, homogeneity, and stability were systematically analyzed and evaluated. The prepared matrix CRM can be applied for proficiency testing and nationwide risk monitoring programs to guarantee the accuracy and comparability of clenbuterol measurement results in mutton. Graphical Abstract