Thin layer chromatographic/bioautographic method for identification of antibiotic residues in animal tissues

An analytical method for the identification of the residues from 14 commonly used antibiotics is presented. The technique is based on selective tissue extraction followed by thin layer chromatography (TLC)/bioautography. Antibiotic residues are extracted from the tissues with methanol and methanol-HCl (98 + 2). The methanol extract is further extracted with chloroform to isolate groups of antibiotics. The extracts are spotted onto TLC plates and developed in suitable solvent systems. Developed plates are placed on set medium seeded with Bacillus subtilis and a bioautograph is produced. The locations of zones of inhibition are used to identify antibiotic residues. Recoveries of antibiotics were quantitative, while the effect of naturally inhibiting components of the matrix was minimized. The sensitivity of the method can be adjusted through minor modifications, which allows its use in routine regulatory analysis.