Validation of the βeta-s.t.a.r. 1 + 1 for rapid screening of residues of β-lactam antibiotics in milk

The 2-min protocol (1 + 1) for the betaeta-s.t.a.r. (manufactured by Neogen Corporation, Lansing, MI, USA) was validated at the Technology and Food Science Unit of the Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research according to Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. The test was very selective for the group of beta-lactam compounds: the only interference found was by clavulanic acid at 2500 microg kg(-1) and above. The modified protocol (betaeta-s.t.a.r. 1 + 1) detected all beta-lactams with a maximum residue limit (MRL) in milk, but not all these compounds were detected at their respective MRL. The detection of cefalexin (detection capability = 6000 microg kg(-1); MRL = 100 microg kg(-1)) and penethamate (detection capability = 80 microg kg(-1); MRL = 4 microg kg(-1)) was especially poor, and also ceftiofur was only detected from 500 microg kg(-1) (MRL = 100 microg kg(-1)). The repeatability of the reader and of the test was very good. The test was very robust: test results were not significantly influenced by small changes in the test protocol, by the milk composition or by the type of milk. The test was also suitable to test the milk of animal species other than cow. Favourable results were obtained in testing monitoring samples, in two national ring trials, and in an international proficiency test. The betaeta-s.t.a.r. 1 + 1 is a very fast, simple, and reliable test that could be used at the farm level to prevent tanker milk contamination by beta-lactams.