Cyano metabolite as a biomarker of nitrofurazone in channel catfish

The use of nitrofuran drugs in food-producing animals continues to attract international concern as a food safety issue. Methods for monitoring nitrofuran residues have been directed to the intact side chain of tissue-bound metabolites. Semicarbazide, the side chain of nitrofurazone (NFZ), can enter food products from non-NFZ sources, suggesting the need for an alternative biomarker for confirmatory purposes. We characterized a cyano derivative as a major metabolite of NFZ in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). The depletion of cyano metabolite was examined in the muscle of channel catfish after oral dosing (10 mg of NFZ/kg of body weight). Parent NFZ was rapidly eliminated in muscle, with a half-life of 6.3 h. The cyano metabolite was detected for up to 2 weeks, with an elimination half-life of 81 h. The cyano metabolite represents an alternative biomarker for confirming the use of NFZ in channel catfish.