Extension of multi-residue methodology to include the determination of quinolones in food

The multi-residue procedure for basic drugs described elsewhere by this lab oratory has been evaluated for quinolone and fluoroquinolone antibiotics. T he fluoroquinolones are a relatively new class of drug and an increasing nu mber of licensed products containing these compounds are becoming available for use in animal husbandry. This, along with the possibility of the devel opment of antibiotic resistant human pathogens, make it an important class of drug for which methodology is required for the monitoring of residues in food. Validation data are presented for a range of compounds including the quinolones; oxolinic acid and nalidixic acid, and the fluoroquinolones; fl umequine, ciprofloxacin, danofloxacin, enoxacin, enrofloxacin, lomefloxacin , marbofloxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin and sarafloxacin. Foods for which t he method was validated included poultry muscle (chicken and turkey), egg, chicken liver, honey, cattle muscle and pig muscle. This application of the multi-residue procedure further demonstrates the importance and wide-rangi ng usefulness of the technique.