Analytical method for the determination of tiamulin residues in tilapia fillet

• Grant number: 24/17063-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2024
• End date: November 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy - Toxicological Analysis
• Principal Investigator: Jonas Augusto Rizzato Paschoal
• Grantee: Laura Assagra Carvalho
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/08152-0 - Challenge of the use of drugs in fish farming in the context of One Health: evaluation of efficacy, safety and risk analysis, AP.TEM

Abstract

Unlike other animal production systems (cattle, swine, poultry), aquaculture still lacks the availability of authorized and duly regulated veterinary drug alternatives for the treatment of infectious diseases in production (non-ornamental) aquaculture species. Currently, Brazil has only two regulated antimicrobial products for species exploited in aquaculture, creating a scenario that contributes to the continued use of few antimicrobial alternatives, favoring the development of antimicrobial resistance, with clear impacts on animal, human and environmental health. Therefore, studies focused on new drug alternatives for aquaculture are very important for the activity. Thus, this project represents an opportunity for an undergraduate student to acquire experience in research involving applied analytical chemistry, based on the development of analytical methods to be used in studies that aim to evaluate the use of an antimicrobial, tiamulin, as a veterinary medicine in aquaculture species, which is a drug with recognized potential for use in fish species exploited in aquaculture. The main objective of this study is to propose and validate analytical methods using QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) and DLLME (Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction) procedures in the sample preparation stage, in association with LC-MS/MS (Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry in tandem) instrumentation to obtain a selective and highly detectable method, viable for application in a study that will aim to evaluate the residual depletion of the aforementioned drug in fish fillet samples (tilapia), from which it is intended to estimate the respective minimum withdrawal periods to be recommended, aiming at food safety. Depending on the evolution of the work described in this proposal, other drugs relevant for use in aquaculture may be considered in the development of the analytical method.