Evaluation of the residues of furazolidone and its metabolite, 3-amino-2-oxazolidinone (AOZ), in eggs

The use of furazolidone in food-producing animals is banned within the EU. Detection of the protein-bound side-chain metabolite, 3-amino-2-oxazolidinone (AOZ), in animal tissues is the most effective method of enforcing the ban. The study was undertaken to rnd out if the same applies to eggs. The concentrations of furazolidone and AOZ in eggs reached a plateau of similar to 360-380 mug kg(1) by the fourth day of treating birds with 400 mg kg(1) furazolidone. After a 4-day withdrawal from treatment, intact furazolidone could not be detected. AOZ residues could still be detected up to 21 days following withdrawal from treatment. During treatment, most intact furazolidone residues occur in the albumen. For AOZ, there is a more even distribution of residues between albumen and the yolk. The concentration of furazolidone in egg homogenates stored at -20 degreesC decreases by 44% after 55 days. AOZ residues are stable during this period. From these results, it is clear that AOZ is a more suitable marker residue than the parent compound for monitoring concentrations of the drug in eggs.