Abstract:
Colorimetric method was developed for determination of 3 quinolones in animal feed. This test-kit gave the best result when used the solution of 32.5% nitric acid in water in combination with the solution of 10% iron(IlI) nitrate nonahydrate (Fe(NO3)3x9H2O) in water with 1% nitric acid at the ratio of 10 : 1. The color of nalidixic acid , norfloxacin and flumequine changed from colorless to yellow, yellow-orange and orange , respectively. The color band strips were obtain in the range of 10 to 500 ppm. The color was stable for more than 2 hours. The method validation with 4 animal feeds by UV-VIS Spectrophotometer gave 0.44 - 4.56 % RSD and % recovery in a range of 80.25 - 92.48. In the comparison with HPLC technique in the range of 0.1 - l0 ppm, %RSD between 0.70 - 6.30 and % recovery in a range of 71.20 - 94.40 % were obtained. This test-kit did not give any false positive results with other antibiotics such as chloramphenical, nitrofurazone, nitrofurantoin, furazolidone and furaltadone. This test-kit could not be used in the solution with pH ≥ 7. However, this test-kit is an alternative method for screening test for quinolone antibiotics before contaminating into the environment.