The detection of veterinary drug residues is an important link in ensuring the safety of animal derived food and maintaining public health. With the development of animal husbandry, veterinary drugs have been widely used in the prevention and treatment of animal diseases, promoting growth, and other aspects. However, the unreasonable use of veterinary drugs may lead to excessive residues of veterinary drugs in animal based foods, which may pose a potential threat to human health. Therefore, it is crucial to establish a scientific and effective system for detecting veterinary drug residues.
1、 Testing Technology and Methods
1. Chromatography technology
High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC): suitable for detecting veterinary drug residues with poor thermal stability and strong polarity, such as sulfonamides, tetracyclines, etc.
Gas chromatography (GC): mainly used for the detection of volatile veterinary drug residues, such as organochlorine, organophosphorus pesticides, etc.
Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS): Combining the separation ability of liquid chromatography with the qualitative and quantitative ability of mass spectrometry, it has high sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy, and is suitable for the detection of trace veterinary drug residues.
2. Immunological methods
Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA): Based on antigen antibody specific reactions, it is easy to operate, cost-effective, and suitable for initial screening of large quantities of samples.
Colloidal gold immunochromatography: Rapid detection is achieved by labeling antibodies with colloidal gold, suitable for on-site rapid screening.
3. Biosensor technology
By combining biometric elements such as enzymes, antibodies, and nucleic acid aptamers with signal converters, high-sensitivity and real-time detection of veterinary drug residues can be achieved.
4. Other technologies
Microbial inhibition method: Determine veterinary drug residues by observing the growth inhibition of microorganisms, suitable for the detection of antibiotic residues.
Nuclear magnetic resonance technology: can provide molecular structure information for qualitative and quantitative analysis of veterinary drug residues.
2、 Testing standards and regulations
·International standards: The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), the European Union, the United States, and others have established strict residue limit standards for veterinary drugs, involving various veterinary drugs such as antibiotics, hormones, and antiparasitic drugs.
·Domestic standards: The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, the State Administration for Market Regulation and other departments have issued the "National Food Safety Standard - Maximum Residue Limits for Veterinary Drugs in Food" (GB 31650 series), which specifies the limit requirements for veterinary drug residues in animal based foods.
3、 Testing process
1. Sample collection: Randomly select animal tissue, eggs, milk and other samples from breeding farms, slaughterhouses, markets and other links.
2. Sample pretreatment: including extraction, purification, concentration and other steps to remove interfering substances and improve detection sensitivity.
3. Instrument analysis: Select appropriate detection methods based on the characteristics of the target veterinary drug, such as HPLC, GC-MS/MS.
4. Result determination: Compare the test results with national or international standards to determine if they exceed the standard.
4、 Challenges and Countermeasures
1. Challenge
·New veterinary drug residues: With the progress of veterinary drug research and development, the detection methods for new veterinary drug residues need to be constantly updated.
·Complex matrix: The matrix of animal based foods is complex and may interfere with the detection results.
·Multi residue detection: It is necessary to simultaneously detect multiple veterinary drug residues, which requires higher sensitivity and selectivity of the detection technology.
2. Countermeasures
·Strengthen technology research and development: promote the development of high-throughput and high-sensitivity detection technologies, such as multi residue combination technology.
·Improve the standard system: update the residue limit standards for veterinary drugs in a timely manner to align with international standards.
·Strengthen supervision: Strengthen the supervision of breeding, slaughtering, circulation and other links, and standardize the use of veterinary drugs.
5、 Future Development Trends
·Rapid detection technology: Develop portable and on-site rapid detection equipment to improve detection efficiency.
·Intelligent detection: Combining artificial intelligence, big data and other technologies to achieve automatic analysis and risk warning of detection data.
·Green detection technology: Developing environmentally friendly pre-treatment methods and detection technologies to reduce the impact on the environment.
The detection of veterinary drug residues is an important means to ensure food safety. With the advancement of technology and the improvement of regulations, the detection of veterinary drug residues will become more efficient and accurate, safeguarding public health.
Guangdong Zhonghan Testing Technology Co., Ltd