Determination of Four Nitrofuran Metabolites and Chloramphenicolin Biological Samples Using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay

A pretreatment method was developed for the determination of four nitrofuran metabolites and chloramphenicol in pork, chicken, fish, and shrimp. Homogenized samples were hydrolyzed and derivatized with 2-nitrobenzaldehyde. Extraction was performed using ethyl acetate followed by purification of the extract by hexane. Lastly, the ethyl acetate was dried under nitrogen and the residue was redissolved for analysis. The performance of the method was satisfactory for all drugs tested at contamination levels close to or below the relevant European Union maximum levels permitted. The limits of detection (LODs) of the method were 0.025–0.13 ng/g. Recoveries higher than 72.0% were obtained for all drugs tested, and the coefficient of variation was less than 15%. Results from analysis of unknown samples by the developed ELISA were similar to those obtained by a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method.