Strategies for Residue Analysis of Veterinary Drugs in Food of Animal Origin.

Marni S and Faridah I.

The presence of residues and their associated harmful health effects on humans makes the strategies for veterinary drug residue analysis an important measure in ensuring consumer protection. These strategies include sampling and analytical approach. Emphasis is given to sample preparation and method of detection. In general, analytical methods detection of veterinary drug residues can be classified in two groups; confirmatory and screening. Screening methods are used to detect the presence of a substance or classes of substances while conflrmarory methods allow identifying lhe specific substance and, if necessary, quantify it at the level of interest. Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) has become the method of choice for high sensitivity quantitative analysis of all veterinary medicine drugs and a preferable detector for confirmatory purposes. According to data that are issued by Web of Knowledge Database, LC-MS is the analytical method that is most used (38%) followed by LC-UV (18%). The new generation of high-resolution mass spectrometry (MS) equipment permits detection and identification of a prion non-target analytes; this method is highly advantageous for controlling the illegal use of antimicrobials.