Drug residue analysis

The measurement of drug residues is a crucial issue for health and environmental safety. These substances can originate from veterinary treatments, human medications discharged into wastewater, or even plant protection products used in agriculture. Even in trace amounts, their presence raises questions of regulatory compliance, potential toxicity, and risks to public health.

Drug residue analysis aims to detect and quantify these compounds in various matrices. It allows for quality control of foodstuffs, ensures the safety of products intended for human or animal consumption, and assesses the impact of drug releases on the environment.

Analytical methods
To ensure reliable detection, several analytical approaches are used:

• LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry) : a reference, sensitive and selective method, allowing the simultaneous identification and quantification of a large number of pharmaceutical substances.
• GC-MS (gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry) : used for volatile molecules or after derivatization of compounds.
• Multi-class screening : a comprehensive approach enabling the screening of different drug classes in a single analytical trial.

These methods cover a wide spectrum of molecules, including antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, antiparasitics, synthetic hormones and certain residues of veterinary drugs that are banned or subject to strict limits.

Matrices concerned:
Drug residue analysis applies to numerous matrices:

• Foods of animal origin : meat, milk, eggs, fish, crustaceans, which may contain residues from veterinary treatments.
• Plant products : cereals, fruits, vegetables or botanical extracts that may be exposed to medicinal substances via contaminated soils, fertilizers or water.
• Animal feed and raw materials : to control animal nutrition supply chains and avoid indirect contamination.
• Surface water and wastewater : to monitor the environmental impact of pharmaceutical discharges.

Regulatory and health challenges:
Monitoring drug residues addresses several imperatives:

• Compliance with maximum residue limits (MRLs) set by European and international regulations.
• Preservation of public health, by avoiding chronic exposure to active substances even at low doses.
• Preventing antibiotic resistance is a major challenge when antibiotics are found in food chains or in the environment.
• Protection of agricultural and agri-food sectors, which must prove their compliance and guarantee the quality of their products.

Related analyses in the YesWeLab catalogue:
Drug residue testing is often complemented by other analytical services for comprehensive monitoring:

• Antibiotic residue assay to specifically target antimicrobial molecules.
• Pesticide dosage to monitor other agricultural chemical contaminants.
• Mycotoxin testing to control natural contamination of fungal origin.
• Determination of heavy metals in food, water and raw materials.

YesWeLab Expertise
At YesWeLab, we work with a network of rigorously selected, certified, and ISO 17025 accredited laboratories, some of which are COFRAC recognized. These partners implement the most effective analytical methods to meet your requirements.

Our role is to guide you towards the technique and laboratory best suited to your matrices, ensuring reliable and compliant results. Our digital platform simplifies the management of your analyses: requesting quotes, tracking samples, and receiving results.

Since 2020, many manufacturers, distributors and design offices have trusted us to manage their analyses and quality control of their products.