Clenbuterol residues in pig muscle after repeat administration in a growth-promoting dose.
The aim of this study was to determine the level of clenbuterol residues in muscle tissue of pigs after repeat administration in a growth-promoting dose. An anabolic dose of clenbuterol (20 μg/kg body mass per day) was administered orally to experimental group (n=12) for 28 days, whereas control animals (n=3) were left untreated. Clenbuterol treated pigs were randomly sacrificed (n=3) on days 0, 3, 7 and 14 of treatment discontinuation and clenbuterol residues determined in muscle tissue. Determination of residual clenbuterol was by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as a screening method and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) as a confirmation method. The highest clenbuterol content in the muscle of treated animals was recorded on day 0 of treatment cessation (4.40±0.37 ng/g) and significantly (p<0.05) exceeded the maximum residue limit (MRL) of 0.1 ng/g. On day 3 of withdrawal, it was 0.49±0.22 ng/g and on day 7 0.10±0.02 ng/g (at MRL); on day 14 of treatment discontinuation, clenbuterol content was below the limit of detection (<0.1 ng/g) in all samples. Administration of clenbuterol as a growth promoter in pig production could lead to residues in meat for human consumption up to 7 days after treatment discontinuation.
Pleadin
Jelka
J
Laboratory for Analytical Chemistry, Croatian Veterinary Institute, Savska 143, HR-10 000 Zagreb, Croatia. pleadin@veinst.hr
Vulić
Ana
A
Persi
Nina
N
Vahcić
Nada
N
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis*; D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D002976:Clenbuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004350:Drug Residues / Q000032:analysis*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D057230:Limit of Detection; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat / Q000032:analysis*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000737:chemistry; D013552:Swine; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D045930:Anabolic Agents; D002976:Clenbuterol