Review of Analytical Methodologies for the Determination of Metronidazole and Trimethoprim in Environmental Samples

Antibiotics are essential for treating infectious diseases, but their overuse and adverse effects are raising concerns about global public health. The pervasiveness of antibiotic contamination in aquatic environments has drawn increased attention in recent years. The primary concern regarding the release of antibiotics into the environment is the potential for microorganisms to become resistant to antibiotics. This review article summarizes the analytical methods used to determine the presence of trimethoprim and metronidazole in various environmental samples. These antibiotics have traditionally been analyzed using tandem mass spectrometry or high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry; fluorescence or ultraviolet detection has been used less frequently. An essential step before liquid chromatography analysis is preparing the sample for extraction and analysis. This helps to eliminate interferences, stop the matrix effect, and pre-concentrate the target analytes. Consequently, the purpose of this work is to provide an overview of the most widely used techniques for the determination of metronidazole and trimethoprim in environmental samples.