engleski

Determination of benzimidazole and levamisole residues in animal liver usling liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Benzimidazoles and levamisole are veterinary drugs widely used in the prevention and treatment of parasitic infections in agriculture and aquaculture. In this group of benzimidazole drugs belong albendazole, albendazole sulphoxide, netobimin, febantel, fenbendazole, oxfendazole, mebendazole, flubendazole, thiabendazole, triclabendazole, and oxibendazole. The residues of benzimidazoles and levamisole in liver can occur due to incorrect treatment, because of excessive amounts of the drug in relation to the recommended dosage, for non-compliance to the withdrawal period or because the animals consume contaminated food. For most of the benzimidazole residues in the samples marker is defined as the sum of the proportions of the drug and/or the most common or the most persistent metabolites. During metabolic degradation of benzimidazole drugs in animal organism one major metabolite or more than one major metabolite of a particular drug is produced, which have been identified in liver. In order to protect the health of consumers, the European Union has established maximum residue levels (MRLs) of benzimidazoles and levamisole in liver (Commission Regulation 37/2010). For the determination of benzimidazole and levamisole residues in liver, confirmatory method of liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC- MS/MS) is used, which is validated according to Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. In total 62 samples of animal liver were collected during 2016. and analyzed for benzimidazole and levamisole drug residues. Neither of the samples showed concentrations above the maximum level, which indicates that the liver in Croatia is safe for consumption.

food contamination, food safety, veterinary drugs, quality control

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