Development of simultaneous analytical method for investigation of ketamine and dexmedetomidine in feed

According to media reports, the carcasses of euthanized abandoned dogs were processed at high temperature and pressure to make powder, and then used as feed materials (meat and bone meal), raising the possibility of residuals in the feed of the anesthetic ketamine and dexmedetomidine used for euthanasia. Therefore, a simultaneous analysis method using QuEChERS combined with high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry was developed for rapid residue analysis. The method developed in this study exhibited linearity of 0.999 and higher. Selectivity was evaluated by analyzing blank and spiked samples at the limit of quantification. The MRM chromatograms of blank samples were compared with those of spiked samples with the analyte, and there were no interferences at the respective retention times of ketamine and dexmedetomidine. The detection and quantitation limits of the instrument were 0.6 ㎍/L and 2 ㎍/L, respectively. The limit of quantitation for the method was 10 ㎍/kg. The results of the recovery test on meat and bone meal, meat meal, and pet food showed ketamine in the range of 80.48-98.63 % with less than 5.00 % RSD, and dexmedetomidine in the range of 72.75-93.00 % with less than 4.83 % RSD. As a result of collecting and analyzing six feeds, such as meat and bone meal, prepared at the time the raw material was distributed, 10.8 ㎍/kg of ketamine was detected in one sample of meat and bone meal, while dexmedetomidine was found to have a concentration below the limit of quantitation. It was confirmed that the detected sample was distributed before the safety issue was known, and thereafter, all the meat and bone meal made with the carcasses of euthanized abandoned dogs was recalled and completely discarded. To ensure the safety of the meat and bone meal, 32 samples of the meat and bone meal as well as compound feed were collected, and additional residue investigations were conducted for ketamine and dexmedetomidine. As a result of the analysis, no component was detected. However, through this investigation, it was confirmed that some animal drugs, such as anesthetics, can remain without decomposition even at high temperature and pressure; therefore, there is a need for further investigation of other potentially hazardous substances not controlled in the feed.

사료 내 케타민과 덱스메데토미딘의 잔류조사를 위한 동시분석법 개발

안락사 시킨 유기견의 사체를 고온 및 고압 처리하여 가루로 만들고 사료 원료(육골분)로 사용했다는 언론보도에 따라 안락사에 사용된 마취제 케타민과 덱스메데토미딘의 사료 내 잔류가능성이 제기되었다. 이에 신속한 잔류 조사를 위해 QuEChERS 전처리와 질량분석기를 이용한 동시분석법을 개발하였다. 개발된 동시분석법의 직선성은 0.999 이상을 보였다. 선택성은 무처리 시료와 케타민과 덱스메데토미딘이 정량한계수준으로 처리된 시료의 비교를 통해 평가하였고, MRM 크로마토그램을 확인한 결과 각각의 머무름 시간에서 매질의 간섭은 없었다. 검출한계는 0.6 ㎍/L, 정량한계는 2 ㎍/L로 설정하였으며, 분석법의 최종 정량한계는 10 ㎍/kg로 설정하였다. 육골분, 육분, 애완용 배합사료 중 케타민의 회수율 실험 결과, 80.48-98.63 %, 상대표준편차 5.00 % 이하의 결과를 보였으며, 덱스메데토미딘은 회수율 72.75-93.00 %, 상대표준편차 4.83 % 이하의 결과를 보였다. 개발된 분석법을 활용하여 케타민과 덱스메데토미딘의 잔류실태조사를 실시하였다. 해당 원료가 배포된 시기에 제조된 육골분 등의 사료 6 점을 수거하여 분석한 결과, 육골분 시료 한점에서 케타민이 10.8 ㎍/kg이 검출되었고, 덱스메데토미딘은 정량 한계 미만의 농도로 확인되었다. 이에 해당 원료를 사용한 제품은 전량 회수, 폐기되었다. 이후에도 육골분 사료의 안전성 확보를 위해 육골분 및 배합사료 등의 시료 32점을 추가로 수거하여 케타민과 덱스메데토미딘에 대한 잔류 조사를 실시 하였고, 분석결과 두 성분 모두 검출되지 않았다. 하지만 이번 조사를 통해 마취제 같은 의약품들이 고온 및 고압에도 분해되지 않고 잔류할 수 있다는 사실을 확인하였고, 이에 따라 육골분 사료에서 관리하고 있지 않은 다른 잠재적 유해물질들에 대한 조사의 필요성이 제기되었다.