Enrofloxacin (ENR) and ciprofloxacin (CIP) are drugs used in poultry feeding. In
general, feathers that are incorporated in the food chain as a protein source for
animal feed, have residues of these drugs. In order to study the pharmacokinetic
of ENR/CIP residues in feathers of broiler chickens, to calculate the waiting times
for these drugs, before human consumption, we developed the present research.
Feathers of broiler chickens were enriched with ENR/CIP. After adding acetone, the
mix was agitated and centrifuged and supernatant evaporated under nitrogen. The
dry residue was suspended in a tetrahydrofuran solution and the supernatant was
injected into the chromatographic system for analysis. Animals showed high levels
of ENR/CIP in their feathers after administration of 10 mg/kg enrofloxacin dissolved in
drinking water for 5 days. Both compounds were detected in feathers during 9 days.
The analytical method developed in this paper to determine ENR and CIP in feathers
of broiler chicken showed good linearity, selectivity, accuracy and precision in the
analysis conditions. This technique could have important applications in the studies
on residues of ENR/CIP in feathers, since the effect of this component in animal diets
has not been considered yet.
Key words: Enrofloxacin, quantification, quinolones