Nitrofurans

Nitrofurans are synthetic broad-spectrum antibiotics. The defining structural component is a furan ring with a nitro group. Nitrofurans are frequently used in animal production due to their excellent antibacterial and pharmacokinetic properties. They have also been used as growth promoters during the production of shrimp, poultry and pigs. Nitrofurans have been detected not only in treated animals, but also in animal products, including honey.

The four major nitrofurans are furaltadone (3-amino-5-morpholinomethyl-2-oxazolidinone = AMOZ), furazolidone (3-amino-2-oxazolidinone = AOZ), nitrofurantoin (1-aminohydantoin = AHD) and nitrofurazone (semicarbazide = SEM). They have been banned in the EU for use as veterinary drugs, due to their toxic an suspected carcinogenic and mutagenic properties (Commission Regulation 1442/95). In 2003 a definitive MRPL (Minimum Required Performance Limit) was set at 1 ng/g in the EU for the above mentioned four nitrofurans in poultry and aquaculture products (Commission Decision 2003/181/EC).

Nitrofurans are rapidly metabolised, occurring in animal tissues as protein-bound metabolites. These protein-bound metabolites are stable and persistent in the body. The analysis of nitrofurans is based on the detection of the tissue bound metabolites of nitrofurans. Prior to analysis, the metabolites have to be derivatized by incubation with 2-Nitrobenzaldehyde into NP-AHD, NP-AMOZ, NP-AOZ and NP-SEM.

Key nitrofurans antibiotics analytes in our portfolio：

+ AHD
+ AMOZ
+ AOZ
+ SEM