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The overall goal of this project is to develop better approaches using advanced technologies and techniques for the rapid and reliable analysis of veterinary drug and pesticide residues in foods of both animal and plant origin.
The project involves the application and evaluation of rapid and sensitive lab-based approaches to dependably detect multiple veterinary drug classes in animal-derived foods predominantly using atmospheric pressure ionization/tandem mass spectrometry. Similarly, for multiple pesticide residues in meats, poultry, eggs, fruits, vegetables, and grains, the approach involves the development and evaluation of rapid lab-based quantitative and confirmatory analytical approaches predominantly using gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. Furthermore, field-based screening techniques for chemical contaminants in foods at tolerance levels will be developed. The results obtained by these novel methods will be compared to those obtained by traditional techniques currently in use.