Articles & Tech Notes
1 Item
The Latest from Our improved evaporative sample preparation methodology & Articles & Tech Notes
An Improved Evaporative Sample Preparation Methodology for Determining Nitrofuran Antibiotic Residues in Foodstuffs
Introduction
Nitrofuran antibiotics were banned from use in the European Union [EU] in 1995 due to
concerns that their residues were carcinogenic. In 2002/3 the EU introduced a stringent testing
regimen which calls for the use of highly sensitive methods to test food stuffs, principally meat,
fish & shellfish, for the presence of this class of antibiotics. The Minimum Required
Performance Limit [MRPL] laid down by the EU directive is 1g per kg for edible tissues, and is
enforced on all products whether produced locally or imported into the EU. Many papers detail
methods and identify metabolites and derivatives of the drugs concerned and are listed by Vass,
Hruska & Franek (2008). The analytical method calls for good upstream sample preparation to
eliminate the effects of the matrix, and can be manual and time consuming, particularly where
evaporation is concerned. This article describes operational benefits including workflow
improvements gained by the official food control authority of the canton of Zurich (Kantonales
Labor Zurich) or KLZH during improvement of their upstream sample preparation methodology.