Polyether antibiotics, such as Monensin, Salinomycin, and Narasin, also referred to as ionophores, are widely used to control coccidiosis in poultry and to promote growth and increase feed efficiency in cattle. Ionophores reduce the number of gram-positive bacteria that favor fiber fermentation in the rumen thus increasing the number of gram-negative bacteria that favor starch fermentation. That changes the profile of bacteria-synthesized volatile fatty acids, improving energy intake from feed. Since ionophores have a narrow safety range and are toxic in case of overdose or if fed to sensitive species, medicated feeds, premixes, and supplements are strictly regulated.
Analysis of polyether antibiotics using post-column derivatization with Vanillin in an acidic environment is the basis of several AOAC official methods for feed analysis. Advantages of using this approach include wide analytical range, easy sample preparation, and superior accuracy and reproducibility of analysis. Post-column derivatization is especially useful for analysis of fairly high concentrations in feeds and premixes since the methods wide analytical range and absence of matrix interferences allow to avoid excessive sample dilution therefore improving accuracy of the results.
Several years ago, researchers from UC Davis presented a study at American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) annual meeting comparing the use of LC/MS methods and post-column derivatization methods for analysis of polyether antibiotics in feeds and biological samples. The group has demonstrated that while LC/MS methods were sensitive and performed well for trace analysis, they presented a lot of challenges when applied to feed samples. Poor chromatography, matrix interferences, poor linearity of the response, and narrow analytical range led to up to 30 % RSDs and considerable deviation from expected values for feeds and pre-mixes. Contrarily, all these problems disappeared when the feeds were analyzed using post-column derivatization with Vanillin. Validation results showed low variability of the results with less than 4 % RSDs for spike recoveries and feeds analysis, wide calibration range from 10-2000 ug/mL (vs 0.1 – 1 ug/mL for LC/MS) and good correlations with expected values.
Pickering Laboratories’ Onyx PCX post-column derivatization system is uniquely suited for highly acidic reagents due to the fully inert flow path and automatic pump flush capabilities. In addition to the post-column derivatization system, we offer highly purified Vanillin and an analytical column tested to ensure separation of Monensin A and B as well as Salinomycin, and Narasin. Pickering’s method can easily be implemented in any feed laboratory and used to run analysis of medicated feeds and supplements according to official AOAC methods. The same post-column system and HPLC instrument can be utilized for analysis of amino acids in feeds.
Maria Ofitserova, Ph.D.
Senior Research Chemist
Pickering Laboratories, Inc.
1280 Space Park Way
Mountain View, CA 94043, USA
maria_o@pickeringlabs.com
Phone: (650) 694-6700 x703
Analytical laboratories are faced with the task of expanding their testing capabilities to meet the Cannabis Industry’s regulatory requirements as the number of States that legalize Cannabis increases. Without clear Federal regulations, testing requirements differ between States, however, most require to test Cannabis and Cannabis-containing products for potency as well as contaminants such as heavy metals, residual solvents, pesticides, and mycotoxins.
Product Spotlight – 1700-0324, Artificial Saliva with Mucin 
After recent research demonstrating enhanced performance capabilities, we are now offering replacements for our previous style of flow restrictors. See the two notices regarding the new style of flow restrictors used for the Vector PCX.
