Ivermectin: A Critical Review on Characteristics, Properties, and Analytical Methods

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Food Safety
• Veterinary Medicine

Background:

• Ivermectin, a broad-spectrum antiparasitic, accumulates in animal tissues, posing health risks.
• Monitoring ivermectin residues in milk and meat is vital for consumer safety.
• This review focuses on analytical method development for ivermectin detection.

Approach:

• A comprehensive literature review from 1980 to 2022 was conducted.
• Analysis of various detection and quantification methods for ivermectin was performed.
• Methods included HPLC, CE, and MS/MS techniques.

Key Points:

• HPLC with fluorescence, UV, and MS/MS detectors are commonly used.
• Derivatization strategies enhance sensitivity and reduce matrix interference.
• HPLC-MS/MS methods offer lower detection limits without derivatization.

Conclusions:

• There is a need for simpler, faster, and greener analytical methods for ivermectin.
• Novel devices like electrochemical sensors and nanotech-based biosensors show promise for real-time analysis.