Graphene oxide-starch-based micro-solid phase extraction of antibiotic residues from milk samples

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Antibiotic residues in milk pose a food safety concern.
• Accurate detection methods are crucial for regulatory compliance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a new method for extracting penicillin-group antibiotics from cow milk.
• To utilize a graphene oxide-starch nanocomposite for micro-solid phase extraction.

Main Methods:

• Micro-solid phase extraction using a graphene oxide-starch nanocomposite.
• Analysis of extracted amoxicillin, ampicillin, and cloxacillin via High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV).
• Optimization of extraction and desorption variables.

Main Results:

• High extraction efficiencies achieved for target antibiotics.
• Method validated according to European Commission Decision 2002/657/EC.
• Quantitation limits (2.7–5.0 μg kg⁻¹) below Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs).
• Recovery rates between 88–102% and relative standard deviations < 6.1%.

Conclusions:

• The developed graphene oxide-starch nanocomposite is a highly efficient and promising material for antibiotic residue analysis in milk.
• The method is effective, easy-to-perform, and suitable for routine analysis.