Determination of the presence of pharmacological residues in human feces by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Abstract

The use of veterinary drugs in animal husbandry is a normal practice to ensure animal and human health, but residues of these active substances can be present in the final food. Therefore, levels of veterinary drugs in food of animal origin are regulated within the European Union. Humans are also exposed to pharmaceuticals unintentionally through the food chain due to their presence in the environment. This article presents a study conducted on feces of 109 volunteers who did not consume pharmaceuticals within the last two months. Up to 11 different drugs were detected and their concentration ranged from 6 to 13,661 ng/g. Taking into consideration fooffrequency questionnaires and dietary records of the volunteers, results of positive and negative samples were compared but no significant difference were observed. No relationship was found between the consumption of food of animal origin or the consumption of plant-derived foods and the presence of residues of drugs in feces samples.