Rapid immunochromatographic (IC) test for chloramphenicol in pharmaceutical chemicals

Abstract

       Chloramphenicol is a broad spectrum antibiotic, which is banned for use in food producing animals in Thailand since 2002. It is classified as a pharmaceutical chemical with strict control of import. The objective of this study was to develop a rapid immunochromatographic test for screening chloramphenicol in pharmaceutical chemicals at food and drug checkpoints. The limit of detection (LOD) of the test was 1.0 μg/ml with no cross-reaction with thiamphenicol. One-step sample preparation was required for this test using mixture of ethanol and phosphate buffer saline pH 8.0 (1:3) and the assay time took only 10 minutes. Ninety-two pharmaceutical chemical samples obtained from food and drug checkpoints at the Port authority of Thailand and Suvarnabhumi airport were evaluated using this test and the results were in agreement with the laboratory method, infrared spectroscopy method by the Import and Export Inspection Bureau. The test also studied storage stability test under condition at 60°C and 45°C for 30 and 60 days, respectively. It was found that the test strips remained functional and stable during storage. This test can be further developed for screening of adulterated chloramphenicol in animal feeds.