• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.136-142
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• 2022

According to media reports, the carcasses of euthanized abandoned dogs were processed at high temperature and pressure to make powder, and then used as feed materials (meat and bone meal), raising the possibility of residuals in the feed of the anesthetic ketamine and dexmedetomidine used for euthanasia. Therefore, a simultaneous analysis method using QuEChERS combined with high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry was developed for rapid residue analysis. The method developed in this study exhibited linearity of 0.999 and higher. Selectivity was evaluated by analyzing blank and spiked samples at the limit of quantification. The MRM chromatograms of blank samples were compared with those of spiked samples with the analyte, and there were no interferences at the respective retention times of ketamine and dexmedetomidine. The detection and quantitation limits of the instrument were 0.6 ㎍/L and 2 ㎍/L, respectively. The limit of quantitation for the method was 10 ㎍/kg. The results of the recovery test on meat and bone meal, meat meal, and pet food showed ketamine in the range of 80.48-98.63 % with less than 5.00 % RSD, and dexmedetomidine in the range of 72.75-93.00 % with less than 4.83 % RSD. As a result of collecting and analyzing six feeds, such as meat and bone meal, prepared at the time the raw material was distributed, 10.8 ㎍/kg of ketamine was detected in one sample of meat and bone meal, while dexmedetomidine was found to have a concentration below the limit of quantitation. It was confirmed that the detected sample was distributed before the safety issue was known, and thereafter, all the meat and bone meal made with the carcasses of euthanized abandoned dogs was recalled and completely discarded. To ensure the safety of the meat and bone meal, 32 samples of the meat and bone meal as well as compound feed were collected, and additional residue investigations were conducted for ketamine and dexmedetomidine. As a result of the analysis, no component was detected. However, through this investigation, it was confirmed that some animal drugs, such as anesthetics, can remain without decomposition even at high temperature and pressure; therefore, there is a need for further investigation of other potentially hazardous substances not controlled in the feed.