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[Doping relevant substances in horse feed].
1Hochschule für Agrar-, Forst- und Lebensmittelwissenschaften, Zollikofen.
Schweizer Archiv Fur Tierheilkunde
|April 7, 2017
Summary
Horse feed contamination is a concern, with 18 of 28 samples testing positive for prohibited alkaloids. While not harmful to horses, this highlights the need for vigilance in feed quality control for equestrian sports.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Veterinary Science
- Food Safety
Background:
- Horse feed on the Swiss market was analyzed for alkaloid contamination.
- Prohibited substances in equestrian sports were a focus of the analysis.
- Contamination risks in horse feed, even with quality standards, persist.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the level of contamination in horse feed with specific alkaloids.
- To determine if detected alkaloid concentrations pose a health risk to horses.
- To compare alkaloid levels in conventionally vs. hand-harvested poppy seeds.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 28 horse feed samples and 2 poppy seed samples.
- Testing for the presence of 7 different alkaloids, including atropine and colchicine.
- Quantification of alkaloid concentrations to assess potential health effects.
Main Results:
- 18 out of 28 feed samples were positive for prohibited substances.
- Detected alkaloid concentrations were below levels that would affect horse health.
- Conventionally harvested poppy seeds showed significantly higher morphine levels than hand-harvested ones.
Conclusions:
- Horse feed contamination with prohibited substances is a persistent issue.
- Current contamination levels in feed do not pose an immediate health risk to horses.
- Poppy seed harvesting methods significantly impact morphine content, relevant for feed safety.