Antibiotic residue determination

Antibiotic residue detection is a major issue for food safety, public health, and regulation. These compounds, used in human and veterinary medicine, or in animal production, can persist in food, water, or the environment. Their accumulation poses risks to consumers, particularly through the selection of bacterial resistance and the emergence of antibiotic resistance phenomena.

The measurement of antibiotic residues makes it possible to verify the regulatory compliance of food and nutraceutical products, but also to assess water quality or to control plant production likely to have been exposed to these molecules.

Analytical methods

Several approaches are implemented to ensure sensitive and selective detection:

• ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) : rapid screening method, suitable for many samples.
• HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) : reliable quantification of the most common antibiotic families.
• LC-MS/MS (chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry) : reference method allowing the simultaneous identification and quantification of numerous molecules at trace levels.

These techniques can target different groups of antibiotics: tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, macrolides, sulfonamides, aminoglycosides, beta-lactams, among others.

Affected matrices

Antibiotic residue analysis is performed on a wide variety of matrices, including:

• Animal products : milk, meat, eggs, fish and aquaculture products.
• Processed foods : prepared meals, food supplements, nutraceuticals.
• Plant products : fruits, vegetables, cereals, likely to contain residues following the use of organic fertilizers or contaminated water.
• Water : surface water, waste water or water intended for consumption.

Industrial and regulatory issues

The control of antibiotic residues meets several imperatives:

• Compliance with maximum residue limits (MRLs) set by European and international legislation.
• Preservation of public health , by reducing the risk of consumption of contaminated products.
• Prevention of antibiotic resistance , a major issue recognized by the WHO and EFSA.
• Promotion of production chains , which can highlight their compliance and safety within the framework of quality certifications.

Related analyses in the YesWeLab catalog

The dosage of antibiotic residues is often supplemented by other services available in our catalog:

• Pesticide dosage for overall control of chemical contaminants.
• Determination of heavy metals in foodstuffs and raw materials.
• Mycotoxin assay to monitor natural toxins of fungal origin.
• Microbiological analyses to complement health controls of food and water.

YesWeLab expertise

At YesWeLab, we work with a network of selected laboratories, ISO 17025 accredited and some COFRAC-certified. These partners are chosen for their technical expertise, analytical capabilities, and regulatory compliance. Our role is to guide you toward the method and laboratory best suited to your matrices and constraints.

Since 2020, we have been supporting manufacturers, distributors, and design offices in managing their analyses by centralizing their needs via our digital platform. This simplifies procedures, ensures sample tracking, and guarantees the rapid receipt of reliable results.