Development of an immunochromatographic strip test for rapid detection of melamine in raw milk, milk products and animal feed

A simple, rapid and sensitive immunogold chromatographic strip test based on a monoclonal antibody was developed for the detection of melamine (MEL) residues in raw milk, milk products and animal feed. The limit of detection was estimated to be 0.05 μg/mL in raw milk, since the detection test line on the strip test completely disappeared at this concentration. The limit of detection was 2 μg/mL (or 2 μg/g) for milk drinks, yogurt, condensed milk, cheese, and animal feed and 1 μg/g for milk powder. Sample pretreatment was simple and rapid, and the results can be obtained within 3-10 min. A parallel analysis of MEL in 52 blind raw milk samples conducted by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry showed comparable results to those obtained from the strip test. The results demonstrate that the developed method is suitable for the onsite determination of MEL residues in a large number of samples.     

Residue depletion of ractopamine and its metabolites in swine tissues, urine, and serum

Ractopamine hydrochloride is a beta-adrenergic leanness-enhancing agent approved for use in swine in the United States. Depletion of ractopamine and its metabolites from animal tissues, urine, and serum is of interest for the detection of illegal use. The objectives of this study were to measure the residues of ractopamine in swine incurred samples after treatment with dietary ractopamine for 28 consecutive days. An efficient and sensitive analytical method was developed for the detection of parent ractopamine and its metabolites in swine tissues, urine, and serum by HPLC-FLD. After extraction, enzymatic digestion, and solid-phase cleanup of the samples, ractopamine residues were determined by liquid chromatography (LC) with fluorescence detector. The limits of detection (LOD) for tissues, urine, and serum were 1 ng g(-1), 0.5 ng mL(-1), and 0.5 ng mL(-1), respectively. Recoveries ranged from 70.5 to 94.5% for samples fortified at 1-50 ng g(-1) or ng mL(-1). Sixty pigs were fed twice daily for 28 consecutive days with feeds containing 18 mg kg(-1) ractopamine HCl. The residue concentrations in urine, liver, and kidney were 650.06 ng mL(-1), 46.09 ng g(-1), and 169.27 ng g(-1), respectively, compared with those in muscle, fat, and serum (4.94 ng g(-1), 3.28 ng g(-1), and 7.48 ng mL(-1), respectively) at the feeding period of 7 days. The residue concentrations at withdrawal period of 0 days in all edible tissues were lower than tolerance values established by the FDA and MRL values listed by the JECFA. These data support the withdrawal time of 0 days established by the FDA for ractopamine used as feed additive in swine.     

Monoclonal antibody-based ELISA and colloidal gold immunoassay for detecting 19-nortestosterone residue in animal tissues

This article presents the generation of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with high specificity against 19-nortestosterone (NT) through cell fusion techniques and the development of a mAb-based indirect competitive ELISA (icELISA) method and colloidal gold-based immuno-chromatographic assay to detect NT residues in beef and pork samples. A modified carbodiimide method was employed to synthesize the artificial antigen, and BALB/c mice were used to produce anti-NT mAbs. On the basis of the checkerboard titration, an indirect competitive ELISA standard curve was established. This assay was sensitive and had a linear range from 0.03 to 38 ng/mL in phosphate buffered saline (PBS), with IC(50) and LOD values of 0.52 ng/mL and 0.01 ng/mL, respectively. Of all the competitive analogues, the produced mAb exhibited a high cross-reactivity to 17α-nortestosterone (83.6%), the main metabolite of NT in animal tissues. Except for moderate cross-reactivities with trenbolone (22.6%) and β-boldenone (13.8%), the other interference to the assay was negligible (<0.05%). In contrast, the strip test had a visual detection limit of 1 ng/mL in PBS, 2 μg/kg in beef, and 2 μg/kg in pork, respectively, and the results can be judged within 10 min. The ELISA and GC-MS results showed close correlation in beef (R2=0.9945) and in pork (R2=0.9977). Therefore, the combination of two immunoassays provides a useful screening method for quantitative or qualitative detection of NT residues in animal-origin products.     

Detection, accumulation, distribution, and depletion of furaltadone and nifursol residues in poultry muscle, liver, and gizzard

Nitrofurans were broadly used as an extremely effective veterinary antibiotic especially in pig and poultry production farms. Because of fears of the carcinogenic effects on humans, the nitrofurans were banned from use in livestock production in many countries, including the European Union. The present study examines the accumulation, distribution, and depletion of furaltadone and nifursol and of their tissue-bound metabolites [3-amino-5-morpholinomethyl-2-oxazolidinone (AMOZ) and 3,5-dinitro-salicylic acid hydrazine (DNSAH), respectively, in poultry edible tissues (muscle, liver, and gizzards) following administration to chickens of therapeutic and subtherapeutic concentrations of both compounds. Nitrofurans determination was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, respectively, for feeds and for poultry tissues. Furaltadone and nifursol, in very low concentrations, were found in samples of muscle, liver, and chicken's gizzard collected from slaughtered animals after 5 weeks of treatment and no withdrawal time period. When a withdrawal time period of 3 weeks was respected, no detectable nitrofuran parent compounds was observed in all of the studied matrices. For AMOZ, concentrations of 270 μg/kg in meat, 80 μg/kg in liver, and 331 μg/kg in gizzard were determined after administration of a medicated feed with furaltadone (132 mg/kg), 3 weeks after withdrawal of treatment. For DNSAH, the concentration values obtained are much lower than those observed for AMOZ. For meat, liver, and gizzard, DNSAH concentrations of 2.5, 6.4, and 10.3 μg/kg, respectively, were determined, after administration of a medicated feed with nifursol (98 mg/kg), 3 weeks after withdrawal of treatment. The gizzard could be considered a selected matrix for nitrofuran residues evaluation in poultry, due to its capacity of retaining either nitrofuran parent compounds or metabolites in higher concentrations, regardless of the administered dose or of the respected withdrawal time period.     

Simultaneous detection of residues of 25 β₂-agonists and 23 β-blockers in animal foods by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with linear ion trap mass spectrometry

A sensitive method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of residues of 25 β?-agonists and 23 β-blockers in animal foods by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with linear ion trap mass spectrometry (HPLC-LIT-MS). This method is based on a new procedure of hydrolysis and extraction by 5% trichloracetic acid, and then cleaned up by mixed strong cation exchange (MCX) cartridges coupled with a novelty cleanup step by methanol. Methanol and 0.1% formic acid were used as mobile phases for gradient elution, while a Supelco Ascentis Express Rp-Amide column was used for LC separation. ESI positive ion scan mode was used with consecutive reaction monitoring (CRM, MS3). Nine β?-agonists labeled by the deuterium isotope were used as internal standards for quantification. The linear ranges of 48 analytes were from 5 to 200 μg/L; the coefficient of correlation was not less than 0.995. Blank pork muscle, blank liver, and blank kidney were selected as representative matrix for spiked standard recovery test. The recoveries of each compound were in the range of 46.6-118.9%, and the relative standard deviations were in the range of 1.9-28.2%. Decision limits (CCα, α = 0.01) of 48 analytes in muscles, liver, and kidney samples ranged from 0.05 to 0.49 μg/kg, and the detection capability (CCβ, β = 0.05) ranged from 0.13 to 1.64 μg/kg. This method was successfully applied to 110 real animal origin food samples including meat, liver, and kidney of pig and chicken samples.     

LC-MS/MS analysis of neonicotinoid insecticides in honey: methodology and residue findings in Austrian honeys

An analytical method for the simultaneous determination of residues of eight neonicotinoid insecticides and two metabolites in honey using LC-MS/MS was developed and validated. Two approaches of sample preparation were investigated, with the final method involving acetonitrile extraction and subsequent cleanup by dispersive solid-phase extraction (QuEChERS type). Validation was based on quintuplicate analysis at three fortification levels and showed satisfactory recoveries (60-114%) and high precision (RSDs between 2.7 and 12.8%). Low limits of detection and quantification could be achieved for all analytes ranging from 0.6 to 5 μg/kg and from 2 to 10 μg/kg, respectively. Investigations of Austrian honey samples revealed the presence of acetamiprid, thiacloprid, and thiamethoxam residues in honey; however, no sample exceeded the maximum residue limits. On average, flower honey samples contained neonicotinoid residues in higher quantities compared to forest honey samples.     

Development and validation of an indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the screening of tylosin and tilmicosin in muscle, liver, milk, honey and eggs

Incorrect use of tylosin and tilmicosin could result in allergy and select resistance. To monitor the illegal use of these antibiotics in animals, a monoclonal-based indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ic-ELISA) has been established. Several haptens were synthesized and conjugated to carrier protein. Female Balb/c mice were inoculated with the four different conjugates to produce monoclonal antibodies according to the schemes of immunization. Aftercell fusion and culture several times, nine hybridoma cell lines were isolated. Only one, 3C4 that has isotype IgG2a, was selected for detailed study. The cross-reactivity of the monoclonal antibody 3C4 to tylosin and tilmicosin was 100% and 51% respectively. The standard curves based on the tylosin and tilmicosin matrix calibration ranged from 2.5 to 40 μg L(-1), with an IC(50) value of 6.1 μg L(-1) and 12.1 μg L(-1), respectively. The limits of detection of the ic-ELISA ranged from 5.1 μg kg(-1) to 13.8 μg kg(-1) in edible animal tissues. The recoveries were 74.1% to 120.7% with less than 18.6% of the coefficient of variation when tylosin and tilmicosin were spiked in various biological matrices with the concentrations of 25.0-200.0 μg kg(-1). Good correlations between the results of the ic-ELISA and high performance liquid chromatography were observed in the incurred tissues. These results suggest that the ic-ELISA is a sensitive, accurate and low-cost method that would be a useful tool for the screening of the residues of tylosin and tilmicosin in muscle, liver, milk, honey and eggs.     

高效液相色谱法同时测定土壤中环丙氨嗪和三聚氰胺

本试验研究建立了同时测定土壤中环丙氨嗪和三聚氰胺残留量的高效液相色谱法.红壤、潮土等5种土壤样品经氨水/甲醇 (5/95,v/v)超声提取3次,浓缩处理后上机检测.环丙氨嗪和三聚氰胺的标准曲线在0.1 ～ 15.0 μg/ml浓度范围内线性关系良好,绝对系数(R2)分别为1.0000和0.9998;在0.5 ～ 5 mg/kg添加范围内,环丙氨嗪和三聚氰胺在土壤中的平均回收率分别为87.2% ～ 101.1% 和 75.3% ～ 101.6%,变异系数分别为3.3% ～ 8.1%、1.6% ～ 9.9%,最低检测限分别为0.05 mg/kg、0.07 mg/kg.与国际上气相/液相色谱-质谱连用法相比,操作简单,经济方便易于普及.     

Development of multiresidue analysis for twenty phthalate esters in edible vegetable oils by microwave-assisted extraction-gel permeation chromatography-solid phase extraction-gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A novel multiresidue analysis method is developed for the determination of twenty phthalate esters at the μg/kg level in edible vegetable oils by microwave-assisted extraction-gel permeation chromatography-solid phase extraction-high resolution gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (MAE-GPC-SPE-HRGC-MS/MS). The samples were extracted with methanol under microwave incubation. Cleanup was carried out with GPC followed by a further C18 SPE column and then separated by the HP-5MS capillary column under a temperature program. The eluents were qualitatively and quantitatively determined by tandem mass analyzer with selected reaction monitoring (SRM) type and positive ion mode. The calibration curves showed good linearity in the range 5 μg/kg to 2.50 mg/kg with correlation coefficients larger than 0.999. Low detection limits (LODs) of 0.218-1.367 μg/kg and quantification limits (LOQ) of 0.72-4.51 μg/kg were achieved. The mean recoveries were in the range from 93.04% to 104.6% at 5, 15, and 40 μg/kg spiked levels, and the relative standard deviations (RSDs) were in the range of 1.01% and 5.26% (n = 7). This method could potentially overcome the interference from large amounts of lipids and pigment. The real sample test showed this method can be used for sensitive and accurate determination and confirmation of phthalate ester residues in high-fat and complex samples.     

Rapid enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and colloidal gold immunoassay for kanamycin and tobramycin in Swine tissues

A monoclonal antibody (Mab) was produced by using the kanamycin-glutaraldehyde-bovine serum albumin (Kan-GDA-BSA) conjugate as the immunogen. The anti-Kan Mab exhibited high cross-reactivity with tobramycin (Tob) and slight or negligible cross-reactivity with other aminoglycosides. The specificity and cross-reactivity of this Mab are discussed regarding the three-dimensional, computer-generated molecular models of the aminoglycosides. Using this Mab, a rapid enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a colloidal gold-based strip test for Kan and Tob were developed. The rapid ELISA showed a 50% inhibition value (IC 50) of 0.83 ng/mL for Kan and 0.89 ng/mL for Tob with the analysis time less than 40 min, and the recoveries from spiked swine tissues at levels of 25-200 microg/kg ranged from 52% to 96% for Kan and 61% to 86% for Tob. In contrast, the strip test for Kan or Tob had a visual detection limit of 5 ng/mL in PBS, 50 microg/kg in meat or liver, and 100 microg/kg in kidney, and the results can be judged within 5-10 min. Observed positive samples judged by the strip test can be further quantitated by ELISA, hence the two assays can complement each other for rapid detection of residual Kan and Tob in swine tissues. Moreover, physical-chemical factors that affected the ELISA and strip test performance were also investigated. The effect of pH and antibody amount for gold-antibody conjugation on the strip test sensitivity was determined followed by a theoretical explanation of the effects.     

液质联用法同时测定猪粪便中16种（氟）喹诺酮类药物残留

为检测猪粪便中氟喹诺酮类药物残留,建立了高效液相色谱-串联质谱方法,可同时测定猪粪便中环丙沙星、诺氟沙星等16种氟喹诺酮类药物的残留量。样品经50%硝酸镁-4%氨水混合溶液提取,过HLB固相萃取小柱净化,HPLC-MS/MS多反应监测模式下进行定性及定量分析,16种氟喹诺酮类药物在40～200ng·mL^-1浓度范围内呈现良好线性关系,西诺沙星和沙拉沙星检出限为0.005μg·g-1,其他FQs药物检出限均为0.002μg·g-1。添加浓度为0.05、0.5、1.0μg·g-1时,方法平均回收率为51.4%～109.3%,RSD小于20%。该方法前处理简单、快速、灵敏、准确,仅使用少量有机试剂,检测成本低,对环境危害小。     

Mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls in striped bass (Morons saxatilis) from two nova Scotia Rivers

Striped bass (Morone saxatilis) collected from the Annapolis and Shubenacadie Rivers in Nova Scotia, Canada, were analyzed for Hg in four tissues and for PCB's in two tissues. Average Hg concentrations in the muscle, liver, kidney, and gonad of 3.9 kg fish from Annapolis River were 0.77, 0.79, 0.26, and 0.07 μg g^?1, respectively, and the corresponding values for the much smaller, 1.5 kg, fish from the Shubenacadie River were 0.51, 0.27, 0.24, and 0.06 μg g^?1. The PCB concentrations in the muscle tissues of fish from Annapolis and Shubenacadie Rivers are 0.02 and 0.01 μg g^?1, respectively, while the concentrations in gonads are 1.4 and 0.04 μg g^?1 The observed lack of recruitment of striped bass in the Annapolis River may be related to high PCB concentrations in the gonad tissue.     

Aflatoxicol and aflatoxins B1 and M1 in the tissues of pigs receiving aflatoxin

Aflatoxicol (AFL) and aflatoxins B1 and M1 were found in tissues (kidney, liver, and muscle) of feeder pigs given an estimated LD50 oral dose of B1 (1.0 mg/kg body weight) provided as a rice culture of Aspergillus flavus and of market-weight pigs fed a naturally contaminated feed, containing aflatoxin B1 at a level of 400 ng/g from corn, for 14 days. The residues in all tissues decreased with time after treatment in both groups, with no detectable residues (approximate detection limits, ng/g, B1 0.03, M1 0.05, AFL 0.01) in pig tissues from the feeding experiment 24 h after withdrawal of aflatoxin-contaminated feed. B1 and M1, when found in the feeding experiment, were at about the same levels in all tissues except the kidney, in which M1 was the dominant aflatoxin. The level of AFL, when detected, was about 10% of the B1 level.     

Effect of sodium [36Cl]chlorate dose on total radioactive residues and residues of parent chlorate in growing swine

An experimental chlorate-based product has been shown to be efficacious in eliminating economically important, Gram-negative human pathogens in the gastrointestinal tracts of food animals. Prior to the commercial marketing of such a product, the magnitude and chemical nature of residues remaining in edible tissues must be determined. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the tissue distribution and elimination of sodium [36Cl]chlorate in orally dosed swine. Three sets of pigs, each consisting of a barrow and a gilt, were orally dosed with a total of 20, 40, or 60 mg of sodium [36Cl]chlorate per kg body weight via the drinking water. Urine and feces were collected throughout the 30 h study. Twenty-four hours after the last exposure to [36Cl]chlorate, each pig was harvested and both edible and inedible tissues were collected. Urine and tissue samples were analyzed for total radioactive residues and for chlorate metabolites. Elimination of radioactivity in urine averaged 81.6, 83.7, and 83.9% of the total dose for the low, medium, and high doses, respectively. Fecal elimination of radioactivity averaged 1.1% of the dosed radiochlorine across all doses. Parent chlorate always represented greater than 97.4% of the urinary radiochlorine with the remaining radiochlorine being excreted as chloride ion. Chlorate represented 39-77% of fecal radioactivity, depending upon dose. Chlorate concentrations in edible tissues ranged from 0.01 to 0.49 ppm, with residues in liver and skeletal muscle generally lower than those in kidney and adipose tissue. Chlorate residues were concentrated in thyroid tissues (7.7-25.4 ppm) relative to edible tissues. No evidence for the presence of chlorite was observed in excreta or in tissues. Results of this study suggest that further development of chlorate as a preharvest food safety tool in swine merits consideration.     

Liquid chromatographic analysis of incurred amoxicillin residues in catfish muscle following oral administration of the drug

Improper application of antibiotic chemicals to livestock and aquaculture species may lead to the occurrence of residues in food supplies. An appropriate depletion period is needed after the administration of drugs to animals for ensuring that residues in edible tissues are below established tolerance levels. This study was conducted to determine incurred amoxicillin residues in catfish muscle following oral administration. Dosed fish were harvested after four depletion periods, and muscle fillets were analyzed for amoxicillin residues using an HPLC method with precolumn derivatization and fluorescence detection. The residue levels in fish after a 6-h depletion ranged from 40 to 64 ng/g with one exception at 297 ng/g. Average residue levels decreased to 5.4 and 2. 8 ng/g after 24- and 48-h depletions, respectively. Residue levels after a 72-h depletion decreased to below the method's limit of quantitation (1.2 ng/g). An LC-MS/MS confirmatory method was developed. Confirmation of the presence of amoxicillin was demonstrated in incurred fish samples containing residues at approximately 50-300 ng/g.     

Residue depletion of cefquinome in swine tissues after intramuscular administration

A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with ultraviolet (UV) detection was developed for the detection of cefquinome (CEQ) residues in swine tissues. The limit of detection (LOD) of the method was 5 ng g(-1) for muscle and 10 ng g(-1) for fat, liver, and kidney. Mean recoveries of CEQ in all fortified samples at a concentration range of 20-500 ng g(-1) were 80.5-86.0% with coefficient of variation (CV) below 10.3%. Residue depletion study of CEQ in swine was conducted after five intramuscular injections at a dose of 2 mg kg(-1) of body weight with 24 h intervals. CEQ residue concentrations were detected in muscle, fat, liver, and kidney using the HPLC-UV method at 265 nm. The highest CEQ concentration was measured in kidney tissue during the study period, indicating that kidney was the target tissue for CEQ. CEQ concentrations in all examined tissues were below the accepted maximum residue limit (MRL) recommended by the Committee for Veterinary Medical Products of European Medical Evaluation Agency (EMEA) at 3 days post-treatment.     

Liquid chromatographic determination of chloramphenicol residues in meat: interlaboratory study

A liquid chromatographic (LC) method for the determination of chloramphenicol (CAP) residues in meat at the 10 microgram/kg level was tested in an interlaboratory study. The method used, based on aqueous extraction and sample cleanup with a cartridge containing Extrelut, was published earlier. A prestudy to familiarize collaborators with the method was performed before the actual interlaboratory precision study. The meat samples used in the precision study were prepared by diluting dosed chicken and pig muscle tissues with blank tissues from other species. Fourteen laboratories received 20 meat samples; 13 laboratories actually participated in the study. Two blank samples and 2 positive samples each of pig, calf, chicken, lamb, and cow meat were tested. The chloramphenicol concentrations in the positive samples ranged from 6.5 to 21 micrograms/kg. The overall mean reproducibility coefficient of variation was 17.9% after the results per laboratory were corrected for the mean recovery obtained within each sample series. The overall mean recovery was 55.1% with a coefficient of variation of 18.0% at the 10 micrograms/kg level. The limit of detection, based on chromatograms of blank samples, was estimated to be 1.5 micrograms/kg of chloramphenicol. No false positives or false negatives were observed in the concentration range tested; only 2 false positive results above the detection limit (1.7 and 6 micrograms/kg) on a total number of 60 blank analyses (3.3%) were observed.     

Nature of the residue of [(14)C]Cloransulam-methyl in lactating goats

Two lactating goats were given a daily oral dose of either [UL-aniline-(14)C; AN] or [triazolopyrimidine-7,9-(14)C; TP]cloransulam-methyl for 5 consecutive days. Each animal received a dietary equivalent of approximately 10 mg/kg of test material, approximately 2225 times the realistic maximum dietary exposure for a dairy animal. Milk, urine, and feces samples were collected in the morning and afternoon for each animal. Each goat was sacrificed within 23 h of receiving the last dose, and the liver, kidneys, samples of blood, fat, muscle, and gastrointestinal tract contents, and urine from the bladder were collected. All of these samples were analyzed for (14)C content. Cloransulam-methyl (CM) was rapidly excreted by the animals, with 99.9% of the recovered radioactivity appearing in the urine and feces. Radiochemical analysis showed very low residues, with the highest being in the kidneys at 0.122 and 0. 128 mg equiv of CM/kg (AN and TP labeled compounds, respectively). Radioactive residues were extracted and fractionated from kidney, liver, and milk. Analysis showed approximately 0.066 mg/kg CM in the kidney but <0.003 mg/kg in the liver. Only one metabolite, cloransulam, was identified (in liver, 9.5% of total radioactive residue; 0.005 mg/kg). All other metabolites were present at lower levels. Sulfonanilide bridge cleavage was not a significant degradation route for cloransulam-methyl in ruminants. These data indicated a very low bioaccumulation potential for cloransulam-methyl and its metabolites in ruminants. For a ruminant exposed to anticipated levels of cloransulam-methyl in its diet, parent and metabolites, in total, would not be expected to exceed 50 ng/kg in the kidney and liver.     

Tissue distribution, elimination, and metabolism of dietary sodium [36Cl]chlorate in beef cattle

Two steers (approximately 195 kg) were each dosed with 62.5 or 130.6 mg/kg body weight sodium [36Cl]chlorate for three consecutive days. All excreta were collected during the dosing and 8 h withdrawal periods. The apparent radiochlorine absorption was 62-68% of the total dose with the major excretory route being urine. Parent chlorate was 65-100% of the urinary radiochlorine; chloride was the only other radiochlorine species present. Similarly, residues in edible tissues were composed of chloride and chlorate with chloride being the major radiolabeled species present. Chlorate represented 28-57% of the total radioactive residues in skeletal muscle; in liver, kidney, and adipose tissues, chlorate ion represented a smaller percentage of the total residues. Chlorate residues in the low dose steer were 26 ppm in kidney, 14 ppm in skeletal muscle, 2.0 ppm in adipose tissue, and 0.7 ppm in liver. These data indicate that sodium chlorate may be a viable preharvest food safety tool for use by the cattle industry.     

Rapid and sensitive determination of sulfonamide residues in milk and chicken muscle by microfluidic chip electrophoresis

A new, rapid, and sensitive method was proposed for the determination of sulfonamide residues in milk and chicken muscle samples by microchip electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection. Separation of fluorescamine-labeled sulfonamides was accomplished by using a buffer containing 5 mmol/L boric acid and 1% (w/v) polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The pH, amount of PVA, and concentration of boric acid in the running buffer were found to have great influence on the separation. By optimizing these conditions, the separation of four sulfonamides, sulfamethazine, sulfamethoxazole, sulfaquinoxaline, and sulfanilamide, was achieved within 1 min with limits of detection (S/N = 3) of 0.2-2.3 μg/L, which are well below the maximum residue limit. The proposed method also exhibited very good repeatability; the relative standard deviations for both within-day and between-day measurements were ≤3.0%. With a simplified sample pretreatment protocol, fast determination of sulfonamides in real samples was successfully performed with standard addition recoveries of 93.3-100.8 and 82.9-92.3%, respectively.