| Other defra.gov.uk sites
 

Residue research

Team role

The main objective of the team is to develop, validate, and implement improved methods for (a) detecting and (b) determining the fate of:

  • drugs residues (both veterinary and human) and
  • pesticide residues

in food, feed and environmental samples.

This work is primarily on behalf of Defra's Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), the Chemicals Regulation Directorate (CRD) of the UK Health and Safety Executive, and commercial clients from the manufacturing and food industries. Other clients include the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the UK Food Standards Agency and the EU Sixth and Seventh framework R&D programmes (see www.conffidence.eu and FP7 "Arrows" Project). We also worked on the Biocop project which was completed autumn 2010.

Most R&D involves strategic collaborations with, for example:

  • Universities in Europe (e.g. Queens University Belfast, the Universities of York and Leeds and the Institute of Chemical Technology, Prague).
  • Instrument manufacturers and test kit producers.
  • Other research and enforcement institutions worldwide (e.g. National and Community Reference Laboratories of the EU and the US Food and Drug Administration).

Science themes

Two main analytical approaches are utilised: chromatography-mass spectrometry and biosensors. The team has a specific interest in the development of aptamers for use in biosensors.

Key team members

Key team publications

1. Stead SL, Wolodko-Cierniaka KB, Richmond SF, Sharman M, Driver P, Teale P, Leonardovac O, Purvisc D. 2011. Development and validation of a potentiometric biosensor assay for tylosin with demonstrated applicability for the detection of two other antimicrobial growth-promoter compounds in feedstuffs. Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A: Chemistry, Analysis, Control, Exposure & Risk Assessment. Eprint 13 May 2011.

2. Chan D, Tarbin J, M. Sharman, Carson M. Smith M, Smith S. Screening method for the analysis of antiviral drugs in poultry tissues using zwitterionic hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry Analytica Chimica Acta, In Press Corrected Proof, Available online 13 November 2010.

3. Fussell RJ, Chan D, Sharman M. 2010. An assessment of atmospheric-pressure solids-analysis probes for the detection of chemicals in food. Trac-Trends in Analytical Chemistry 29(11):1326-35.

4. Stead SL, Ashwin H, Johnston B, Tarbin JA, Sharman M, Kay J, Keely BJ. 2010. An RNA-Aptamer-Based Assay for the Detection and Analysis of Malachite Green and Leucomalachite Green Residues in Fish Tissue. Analytical Chemistry 82(7):2652-60.

5. Caldow M, Sharman M, Kelly M, Day J, Hird S, Tarbin JA. 2009. Multi-residue determination of phenolic and salicylanilide anthelmintics and related compounds in bovine kidney by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Journal of Chromatography A 1216(46):8200-5.

6. van Holthoon FL, Essers ML, Mulder PJ, Stead SL, Caldow M, Ashwin HM, Sharman M. 2009. A generic method for the quantitative analysis of aminoglycosides (and spectinomycin) in animal tissue using methylated internal standards and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Analytica Chimica Acta 637(1-2):135-43.

7. Ashwin H, Stead S, Caldow M, Sharman M, Stark J, de Rijk A, Keely BJ. 2009. A rapid microbial inhibition-based screening strategy for fluoroquinolone and quinolone residues in foods of animal origin. Analytica Chimica Acta 637(1-2):241-6.

8. Adams SJ, Fussell RJ, Dickinson M, Wilkins S, Sharman M. 2009. Study of the depletion of lincomycin residues in honey extracted from treated honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies and the effect of the shook swarm procedure. Analytica Chimica Acta 637(1-2):315-20.

9. Schurek J, Vaclavik L, Hooijerink H, Lacina O, Poustka J, Sharman M, Caldow M, Nielen MWF, Hajslova J. 2008. Control of Strobilurin Fungicides in Wheat Using Direct Analysis in Real Time Accurate Time-of-Flight and Desorption Electrospray Ionization Linear Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry. Analytical Chemistry 80(24):9567-75.

10. Adams SJ, Heinrich K, Fussell RJ, Wilkins S, Thompson HM, Ashwin HM, Sharman M. 2008. Study of the distribution and depletion of chloramphenicol residues in bee products extracted from treated honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies. Apidologie 39(5):537-46.

11. Tarbin JA, Chan D, Stubbings G, Sharman M. 2008. Multiresidue determination of triarylmethane and phenothiazine dyes in fish tissues by LC-MS/MS. Analytica Chimica Acta 625(2):188-94.