Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Amoxicillin Residues in Grouper Muscle Following Oral Administration of the Veterinary Drug

Abstract

Improper application of antibiotic chemicals to livestock, poultry and aquaculture species may lead to the occurrence of residues in food supplies. An appropriate depletion is needed after the administration of drugs to animals for ensuring that residues in edible tissues are below established tolerance levels. The study was investigated to determine incurred amoxicillin residues in grouper (Epinephelus malabaricus) muscle following oral administration. Dosed fish were harvested after five depletion periods, and muscle fillets were analyzed for amoxicillin residues using an HPLC method with solid phase extraction and UV detection. The residue levels in grouper after a 6-h depletion (T(subscript max)) were at the maximum 0.91 and 1.31µg/g (C(subscript max)) toward 20 and 40 mg/kg b.w. dosage. Residue levels after a 72-h depletion decreased to below the methods limit of quantitation after last oral treatment. At the dosage (40 mg/kg b.w.), we suggested that the recommended withdraw period was 5 days.