Development and Implementation of an Automated Sample Preparation Procedure for Frenolicin-B in Poultry Feed

Abstract

Abstract The Zymark Tablet Processing Workstation II (TPWII) provides a versatile, cost-effective alternative to manual sample preparation for extracting drugs from medicated animal feed (Type C medicated articles). Routine manual assays require samples to be ground, extracted, filtered, diluted, and analyzed by liquid chromatography. The TPW II uses computer-controlled homogenization, a liquid management system, an internal 4-place analytical balance, and a 3-place top-loading balance to consistently provide accurate results. The TPW II is also equipped with a robotic arm articulated by 4 degrees of freedom. The relative standard deviation of the precision assays for automated versus manual extraction were 7.4 and 8.1, respectively. The workstation also provides a gravimetric audit trail for all sample weights and sample volumes transferred. Few papers have been published concerning automated extraction of drugs in feeds. We report the successful development and routine implementation of a robotically automated procedure for extracting frenolicin-B, an anticoccidial and feed efficiency enhancer, from poultry feed