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Project

Development and validation of new methods for detection of residues (DETTECH)

Main research question/goal
The aim of this project is the (continual) optimisation and fine-tuning of methodology to detect and identify antibiotic residues in foodstuffs of animal origin (milk, meat, eggs, honey and others). The developed test methods should be adequate to detect residues at MRL (Maximum Residue Limit). For public health and the debate concerning the antibiotic resistance and the use of antimicrobials, stakeholders concerned with food safety are requesting reliable, up-to-date and validated detection methods.

Research approach
In general we start from existing techniques or published test methods. By adaptating the sample preparation or optimising the test, the method is improved  to detect antibiotic residues at MRL in the matrix in question. The detection capacity is determined for several antibiotics and also the robustness is evaluated for each new method or adaptation.

Relevance/Valorisation
The methodology for the detection of antibiotic residues in food has already been used for years, yet the existing techniques or procedures can still be improved. ILVO is the Belgian national reference laboratory for residues of veterinary drugs (in collaboration with CER). It is our mission to continuously improve detection methods in order to detect more and more antibiotic compounds at MRL. After we improve a method, we then make sure that the optimised methods can be used routinely in public services. The research results are communicated to governmental authorities in the form of advice regarding the use of detection methods. Newly developed and validated methods are published in international and national scientific journals.

External partner(s)
UA Universiteit Antwerpen - Fac. Farmaceutische, Biomedische en Diergeneeskundige Wetenschappen
Ugent - Fac. Bio-ingenieurswetenschappen
Date:1 Jan 1995 →  31 Dec 2017