Antibiotic residues

Reliable tests for the detection of antibiotic residues in food

Analytes

Antibiotic residues

Antibiotic residues in food of animal origin such as milk, eggs or meat represent a potential health risk to the consumer. Therefore, R-Biopharm offers a broad portfolio of different test systems for the analysis of antibiotic residues.

Antibiotics are naturally formed metabolites derived from fungi or bacteria. Substances that do not occur in nature and are produced by modern biotechnology and chemical synthesis are called antibiotics as well. Antibiotics are able to kill microorganisms or inhibit their growth. In human and veterinary medicine, antibiotics are therefore used as drugs for the treatment of bacterial diseases.

Origin and health risks of antibiotic residues in food

The use of antibiotics as drugs for the treatment of diseased animals is a matter of animal welfare and therefore inevitable. As a result of application failures, such as non-compliance with the statutory waiting period or abuse as antibiotic growth promoter, residues of antibiotics can occur in food of animal origin such as meat, milk or eggs.

Due to the potentially carcinogenic and toxic properties of antibiotic residues and their allergic potential, the consumption of contaminated food establishes a direct risk for public health. Furthermore, the inappropriate use of antibiotics in animal husbandry and food production promotes the multi-drug resistance of pathogen bacteria for antibiotics used in human medicine. Antibiotic residues bear a risk for the production process safety and consequently also an economic risk, as they inhibit biotechnological production processes involving microorganisms such as starter cultures in the dairy industry.

Legal regulations

For reasons of consumer protection many countries established Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for pharmacologically active substances and monitor compliance in surveillance programs (Directive 96/23/EC; Regulation (EC) 470/2009 and 37/2010; Decision 2003/181/EC). In addition, the number of countries which prohibited the use of antibiotics as fattening agent is increasing.

Test systems for antibiotic drug residue analysis

RIDASCREEN®Premi®Test
RIDASCREEN® ELISA tests allow specific quantitative analysis of single antibiotics or antibiotic groups by immunological antibody-antigen recognition and readout by microtiter-plate photometer.Premi®Test, based on the growth inhibition of spores by antibiotics, offers a simple and cost-effective qualitative screening for a broad spectrum of antibiotics.

More information on specific antibiotics

R-Biopharm offers a portfolio of test systems for the analysis of many different antibiotics. Click on one of the following antibiotics to learn more about it.

Bacitracin belongs to the group of polypeptide antibiotics. It was named after the Bacillus strain producing it and the 7 year old girl ‘Tracy’ from whose open tibial fracture the strain was isolated in 1945 for the first time.

Bacitracin is a mixture of different polypeptides, wherein bacitracin A as major component has the highest biological activity. Through inhibition of cell wall synthesis, it has a broad spectrum bactericidal effect against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. In addition to veterinary application, bacitracin can be used as antimicrobial growth promoter in animal husbandry. Thereby, residues can remain in foodstuff of animal origin and may pose a health risk to consumers. Improper use of antibiotics also promotes the formation of antibiotic resistant bacteria, which raise an increasing health problem for the population. Consequently, Bacitracin has been deleted by the regulation 2821/98/EC from the list of approved animal feed additives (Directive 70/524/EEG Appendix B) and maximum residue limits in foodstuffs have been set (Regulation 37/2010/EC).

The quinolones (or chinolones) are a family of synthetic broad-spectrum antibiotic drugs. They inhibit the gyrase enzyme and are therefore also known as gyrase inhibitors.

Gyrase inhibitors are divided into four subgroups. The majority of quinolones belong to the subgroup of fluoroquinolones, which have a fluoro-group attached at the central ring system, typically at the 6th position. The fluoroquinolones belong to the so called second generation quinolones. Some of these are admitted as antibiotics in veterinary medicine for food producing animals. Fluoroquinolones are broad spectrum antibiotics against a lot of bacterial species. They are used frequently in veterinary medicine especially for cattle, pigs and chicken. The usage of fluoroquinolones has increased in the past years because large amounts of these antibiotics were applied to prevent infectious diseases, especially in chicken, swine and fish/shrimp farming. The wide use in food producing animals has generated microbial resistances. This led to an amendment of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2377/90 and in the introduction of MRLs (Maximum Residue Limits) for some fluoroquinolones.

Chloramphenicol is a broad spectrum antibiotic which is frequently employed in animal production for its excellent antibacterial and pharmacokinetic properties. However, in humans it leads to hematotoxic side effects, in particular chloramphenicol-induced aplastic anaemia for which a dosage-effect relationship has not yet been established. This has led to a prohibition of chloramphenicol for the treatment of animals used for food production.

Chloramphenicol (2,2-dichloro-N-[(1R,2R)-1,3-dihydroxy-1-(4-nitrophenyl)propan-2-yl]acetamide), produced by Streptomyces venezuelae, was first discovered in 1947 and has been used in veterinary medicine since the 1950s. Today, the use of the broad spectrum antibiotic Chloramphenicol (CAP) is illegal for the administration in food-producing animals in the EU and many other countries worldwide. It is still frequently employed in animal production because of its excellent antibacterial and pharmacokinetic properties and low price. The mechanism of action of Chloramphenicol is bacteriostatic, inhibiting the protein synthesis in bacterial ribosomes. In humans, residues of CAP can cause myelosuppression (damaging the bone-marrow), and the potentially lethal chloramphenicol-induced aplastic anemia. No safe residue level could be established for these side effects. In order to ensure consumer health this led to a complete ban of chloramphenicol for the treatment of animals used for food production and a zero-tolerance for chloramphenicol residues. The EU established a Minimum Required Performance Limit (MRPL) for all test systems of 0.3 ppb.

The chemical structure of chloramphenicol has 8 different stereoisomers, of which only one (RR-p-CAP) is biologically active. The test kit it specific to this stereoisomer. The RIDASCREEN® Chloramphenicol quantitative ELISA is validated for a wide variety of matrices (milk, milk powder and milk products, honey, meat, fish, shrimp, eggs, feed, plasma and serum). In addition, the new version R1511 can also detect the metabolite chloramphenicol glucuronide, allowing for the direct screening of urine.

Nitrofurans are synthetic broad-spectrum antibiotics, which are frequently used in animal production due to their excellent antibacterial and pharmacokinetic properties. They have also been used as growth promoters during the production of shrimp, poultry and pigs.

Long term animal experiments have shown that the parent compounds and their metabolites have carcinogenic and mutagenic characteristics. This led to the prohibition of nitrofurans for the treatment of animals used for food production. In 1993, the EU banned the nitrofurans furaltadone, nitrofurantoin and nitrofurazone for use in animals used as sources of food, and in 1995 the use of furazolidone was also prohibited. The analysis of nitrofurans is based on the detection of the tissue bound metabolites of nitrofurans. The parent compounds are difficult to detect accurately since they are metabolized very rapidly after treatment. The tissue bound nitrofuran metabolites however are present for a long time after administration and they are used to detect nitrofuran abuse.

There are different types of nitrofurans:

  • Nitrofurantoin: 1-Aminohydantoin (AHD)
  • Furaltadone: 3-Amino-5-morpholinomethyl-2-oxazolidinone (AMOZ)
  • Furazolidone: 3-Amino-2-oxazolidinone (AOZ)
  • Nitrofurazone: Semicarbazide (SEM)

Prior to analysis, the metabolites have to be derivatized by incubation with 2-Nitrobenzaldehyde into NP-AHD, NP-AMOZ, NP-AOZ and NP-SEM.

β-Lactam antibiotics were named after their characteristic five-membered β Lactam ring and form a large group of antibiotics. They are classified by their chemical structure in several subgroups, whereas the most important ones are the penicillins, cephalosporins and carbapenems.

The penicillins were discovered accidentally in 1928 by Alexander Fleming and inhibit cell wall synthesis of gram positive bacteria. Despite their early discovery, they are still the most widely used group of antibiotics in the world. Especially for mastitis, a bacterial infection of the dairy cow udder, they are the first line treatment. For reasons of consumer protection and process safety in the dairy industry, in Commission Regulation (EU) No 37/2010 Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for 7 penicillins in food of animal origin were established.

Next to the ß-lactam antibiotics, in veterinary medicine, streptomycin is one of the mostly used antibiotics for the treatment of mastitis. Residues of streptomycin may therefore occur in food of animal origin, if the withholding period is not obeyed or if it is used improperly.

In high concentrations, streptomycin leads to ototoxic and nephrotoxic effects. The chronic exposure of humans with low concentrations, as found in food, may cause allergies, impair the intestinal flora and induce resistance of pathogenic microorganisms. To protect the consumer against healthy risks and avoid food-technological problems, a sensitive and simple method for the detection of streptomycin is necessary. The EU-regulations for streptomycin are specified in MRLs (maximum residue limits) for meat and milk (muscle and liver: 500 ppb, kidney: 1000 ppb, honey: 10 ppb and milk: 200 ppb).

Sulfonamides are widely used as feed additives, mainly for fattening of calves and pigs. Combined with inhibitors of dihydrofolate reductase such as trimethoprim, tetroxoprim, or pyrimethamine sulfonamides are also used in veterinary medicine for the treatment of intestinal infections, mastitis, pulmonitis and other (systemic) diseases. Sulfonamide residues may therefore occur in food of animal origin such as meat and milk. Particularly the transmission of the carcinogenic sulfamethazine represents a threat to human health. According to the EU law, a maximum residue limit (MRL) for all substances of the sulfonamide-group of 100 µg/kg (ppb) in muscle, fat, liver and kidney and of 100 µg/l (ppb) in milk is valid

In 1948, aureomycin (chlortetracycline) was isolated by Duggan as a metabolite of the actinomyces species Streptomyces aureofaciens. This was the first antibiotic substance of the group of tetracyclines.

Worldwide, tetracycline, chlortetracycline and oxytetracycline are authorized for veterinary use. Therefore, health risks for the consumer can occur. In all animal species which are used for food production, tetracycline residues (the sum of mother substance and the 4-epimer) are limited in the EU law, commission regulation (EU) No 37/2010 with the following limits (MRLs): 100 ppb in muscle and in milk. The RIDASCREEN® Tetracyclin test can be used to detect tetracycline in milk and dairy products (cheese, butter, curd, yoghurt, kefir, cream, sour cream), meat and meat products as well as seafood, egg and honey.

Product portfolio

ProductDescriptionNo. of tests/amountArt. No.
EuroProxima Trimethoprim ELISA

The Trimethoprim ELISA is a competitive enzyme immunoassay based on antibodies directed against trimethoprim.

Read more
Microtiter plate with 96 wells (12 strips with 8 removable wells each) 5101TMP
EuroProxima DNSH

EuroProxima DNSH is a competitive enzyme immunoassay for the quantitative detection of nifursol metabolite 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid hydrazide (DNSH) in meat and seafood.

Read more
Microtiter plate with 96 wells (12 strips with 8 wells each) 5091DNSH
RIDASCREEN® DNSH

RIDASCREEN® DNSH (Art. No. R3740) is a competitive enzyme immunoassay for the quantitative analysis of nifursol metabolite 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid hydrazide (DNSH) in meat (poultry, pork, beef) and seafood (fish, shrimp, and prawn).

Read more
Microtiter plate with 96 wells (12 strips with 8 wells each) R3740
RIDASCREEN® Nitrofuran (SEM)

RIDASCREEN® Nitrofuran (SEM) (R3724) is a competitive enzyme immunoassay for the quantitative analysis of semicarbazide (SEM) in shrimp, fish, meat (bovine, porcine and chicken).

Read more
Microtiter plate with 96 wells (12 strips with 8 wells each). R3724
EuroProxima Florfenicol

EuroProxima Florfenicol is a competitive enzyme immunoassay for the screening and quantitative detection of florfenicol in different commodities.

Read more
Microtiter plate with 96 wells (12 strips with 8 wells each). 5091FLORF
EuroProxima Oxolinic Acid

EuroProxima Oxolinic acid is a competitive enzyme immunoassay for the screening and quantitative detection of oxolinic acid in fish, shrimp and prawn.

Read more
Microtiter plate with 96 wells (12 strips with 8 wells each). 5101OXO
EuroProxima Florfenicol-amine

A competitive enzyme immunoassay for screening and quantitative analysis of florfenicol-amine in various matrices.

Read more
Microtiter plate with 96 wells (12 strips with 8 wells each) 5091FLOA
EuroProxima Neomycin

A competitive enzyme immunoassay for screening and quantitative analysis of neomycin in milk, milk powder, tissue, honey, serum/plasma and urine samples.

Read more
Microtiter plate with 96 wells (12 strips with 8 wells each). 5111NEO
EuroProxima Oxytetracycline

A competitive enzyme immunoassay for screening and quantitative analysis of oxytetracyclines in various matrices.

Read more
Microtiter plate with 96 wells (12 strips with 8 wells each) 5091OTC
EuroProxima Tylosin

EuroProxima Tylosin is a competitive enzyme immunoassay for screening and quantitative analysis of tylosin in various matrices.

Read more
Microtiter plate with 96 wells (12 strips with 8 wells each). 5151TYL
EuroProxima Virginiamycin

EuroProxima Virginiamycin is a competitive enzyme immunoassay for quantitative analysis of virginiamycin in various matrices.

Read more
Microtiter plate with 96 wells (12 strips with 8 wells each). 5151VIG
EuroProxima Fluoroquinolones

EuroProxima Fluoroquinolones is a competitive enzyme immunoassay for screening and quantitative analysis of a broad range of fluoroquinolones in various matrices.

Read more
Microtiter plate with 96 wells (12 strips with 8 wells each). 5101FLUQG
EuroProxima Fluoroquinolones II

EuroProxima Fluoroquinolones II is a competitive enzyme immunoassay for screening and quantitative analysis of fluoroquinolones in various matrices.

Read more
Microtiter plate with 96 wells (12 strips with 8 wells each). 5101FLUQII
EuroProxima Lincomycin

A competitive enzyme immunoassay for screening and quantitative analysis of lincomycin in various matrices.

Read more
Microtiter plate with 96 wells (12 strips with 8 wells each) 5151LIN
EuroProxima Gentamicin

A competitive enzyme immunoassay for screening and quantitative analysis of gentamicin in various matrices.

Read more
Microtiter plate with 96 wells (12 strips with 8 wells each) 5111GEN
EuroProxima Flumequine

EuroProxima Flumequine is a competitive enzyme immunoassay for screening and quantitative analysis of flumequine in various matrices.

Read more
Microtiter plate with 96 wells (12 strips with 8 wells each). 5101FLUM
EuroProxima Erythromycin

EuroProxima Erythromycin is a competitive enzyme immunoassay for screening and quantitative analysis of erythromycin in various matrices.

Read more
Microtiter plate with 96 wells (12 strips with 8 wells each). 5151ERY
EuroProxima Dimetridazole

EuroProxima Dimetridazole is a competitive enzyme immunoassay for quantitative analysis of dimetridazole in various matrices.

Read more
Microtiter plate with 96 wells (12 strips with 8 wells each). 5091DIME
EuroProxima Colistin

A competitive enzyme immunoassay for screening and quantitative analysis of colistin in various matrices.

Read more
Microtiter plate with 96 wells (12 strips with 8 wells each). 5151COL
EuroProxima Penicillin

A competitive enzyme immunoassay for screening and quantitative analysis of penicillins in various matrices.

Read more
Microtiter plate with 96 wells (12 strips with 8 wells each) 5091PEN
RIDASCREEN® Tetracyclin

RIDASCREEN® Tetracyclin is a competitive enzyme immunoassay for the quantitative analysis of tetracyclins in milk, milk powder, cheese, butter, dairy products (curd, yoghurt (plain/with fruits), kefir, cream, sour cream) honey, meat, sausage, fish, …

Read more
Microtiter plate with 96 wells (12 strips with 8 wells each) R3505
RIDASCREEN® Chloramphenicol

RIDASCREEN® Chloramphenicol is a competitive enzyme immunoassay for the quantitative analysis of chloramphenicol in milk, milk powder and dairy products, honey and royal jelly, meat, fish, shrimp, eggs, urine (also chloramphenicol glucuronide), …

Read more
Microtiter plate with 96 wells (12 strips with 8 wells each) R1511
RIDASCREEN® Sulfamethazin

RIDASCREEN® Sulfamethazin is a competitive enzyme immunoassay for the quantitative determination of sulfamethazine in milk, meat, honey, liver, kidney, fish, shrimp and egg.

Read more
Microtiter plate with 96 wells (12 strips with 8 wells each). R3011
RIDASCREEN® Streptomycin

RIDASCREEN® Streptomycin is a competitive enzyme immunoassay for the quantitative analysis of streptomycin in milk and milk powder, honey, meat, liver, kidney, shrimp and apple juice.

Read more
Microtiter plate with 96 wells (12 strips with 8 wells each). R3104
RIDASCREEN® Bacitracin

RIDASCREEN® Bacitracin is a competitive enzyme immunoassay for the quantitative analysis of bacitracin in milk, meat, eggs, feed and urine.

Read more
Microtiter plate with 96 wells (12 strips with 8 removable wells each). R2901
RIDASCREEN® Sulfonamide

RIDASCREEN® Sulfonamide is a competitive enzyme immunoassay for the quantitative analysis of sulfonamides in egg, meat (chicken and pork), fish, shrimp, honey and milk.

Read more
Microtiter plate with 96 wells (12 strips with 8 wells each). R3004
RIDASCREEN® Nitrofuran (AHD)

RIDASCREEN® Nitrofuran (AHD) is a competitive enzyme immunoassay for the quantitative analysis of the nitrofurantoin metabolite AHD in shrimp and fish.

Read more
Microtiter plate with 96 wells (12 strips with 8 wells each) R3713
RIDASCREEN® Nitrofuran (AMOZ)

RIDASCREEN® Nitrofuran (AMOZ) is a competitive enzyme immunoassay for the quantitative determination of AMOZ in shrimp, fish, meat and poultry.

Read more
Microtiter plate with 96 wells (12 strips with 8 wells each) R3722
RIDASCREEN® Nitrofuran (AOZ)

RIDASCREEN® Nitrofuran (AOZ) is a competitive enzyme immunoassay for the quantitative analysis of AOZ in shrimp, meat (chicken, pork, beef), liver (beef and pork), fish, whole egg and milk.

Read more
Microtiter plate with 96 wells (12 strips with 8 wells each) R3703
RIDASCREEN® Chinolone/Quinolones

RIDASCREEN® Chinolone/Quinolones is a competitive enzyme immunoassay for the quantitative analysis of chinolones in egg, meat (beef, pork, sheep, chicken, turkey), fish and shrimp.

Read more
Microtiter plate with 96 wells (12 strips with 8 wells each) R3113
load more
ProductDescriptionNo. of tests/amountArt. No.
Premi®Test Urin

Premi®Test Urin is a reagent that enables bovine/porcine urine to be tested for antibiotic residues with Premi®Test.

Read more
Premi®Test Urine contains 1 dropping bottle with 15 ml of sample buffer. The number of samples which can be prepared is dependent on the volume of the samples. Exemplarily, 30 samples with a volume of 30 ml each. R3921
Premi®Test 25

Premi®Test is a microbial screening test that allows the detection of antibiotic residues, especially in fresh meat (beef, pork, poultry) in less than 4 hours. The test is sensitive to antibiotics of the following groups: β-lactams, cephalosporins, …

Read more
25 ampoules R3925
Premi®Test 4×25

Premi®Test is a microbial screening test that allows the detection of antibiotic residues, especially in fresh meat (beef, pork, poultry) in less than 4 hours. The test is sensitive to antibiotics of the following groups: β-lactams, cephalosporins, …

Read more
4 x 25 ampoules R3900
load more