Chlorate Analyses in Matrices of Animal Origin

Abstract

Sodium chlorate is being developed as a potential food-safety tool for use in the livestock industry because of its effectiveness in decreasing concentrations of certain Gram-negative pathogens in the gastrointestinal tracts of food animals. A number of studies with sodium chlorate in animals have demonstrated that concentrations of chlorate in meat, milk, wastes, and gastrointestinal contents range from parts per billion to parts per thousand, depending upon chlorate dose, matrix, and time lapse after dosing. Although a number of analytical methods exist for chlorate salts, very few were developed for use in animal-derived matrices, and none have anticipated the range of chlorate concentrations that have been observed in animal wastes and products. To meet the analytical needs of this development work, LC-MS, ion chromatographic, and colorimetric methods were developed to measure chlorate residues in a variety of matrices. The LC-MS method utilizes a Cl(18)O(3)(-) internal standard, is applicable to a variety of matrices, and provides quantitative assessment of samples from 0.050 to 2.5 ppm. Due to ion suppression, matrix-matched standard curves are appropriate when using LC-MS to measure chlorate in animal-derived matrices. A colorimetric assay based on the acid-catalyzed oxidation of o-tolidine proved valuable for measuring ≥20 ppm quantities of chlorate in blood serum and milk, but not urine, samples. Ion chromatography was useful for measuring chlorate residues in urine and in feces when chlorate concentrations exceeded 100 ppm, but no effort was made to maximize ion chromatographic sensitivity. Collectively, these methods offer the utility of measuring chlorate in a variety of animal-derived matrices over a wide range of chlorate concentrations.