In-house validation of Premi®Test, a microbiological screening test with solvent extraction, for the detection of antimicrobial residues in poultry muscles

Premi®Test, a microbial inhibition test for the screening of antimicrobial residues, was validated according to the criteria established by Decision 2002/657/EC. Sensitivity, detection capability (CCβ), specificity, selectivity, robustness and applicability were evaluated. The methodology involves the technique of solvent extraction, which increases the detection capability of the test for a wider range of antibiotics. The following CCβ values in poultry muscle were found: penicillin G ≤ 12.5 µg kg−1, total sulfonamides ≤75 µg kg−1, erythromycin 75 µg kg−1 and lincomycin 50 µg kg−1. The detection capability of chlortetracycline was equal to its maximum residue limit (100 µg kg−1) and the method did not detect gentamicin (1000 µg kg−1), for which no MRL is established in poultry muscle. Specificity evaluated in relation to different analytes and matrices did not detect any interferences in the tests results; whilst the robustness showed that the pH neutralisation point of the extract affects the analytical...