Charm Safe-Level beta-Lactam Test for amoxicillin, ampicillin, ceftiofur, cephapirin, and penicillin G in raw commingled milk

The Charm Safe-Level beta-Lactam Test was evaluated by a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) test protocol administered by the AOAC-Research Institute. The sensitivity and selectivity of the test were evaluated with >800 negative raw commingled and drug-fortified milk samples by the manufacturer and an independent laboratory. Probit analysis by the independent laboratory determined the following 90% positive levels with 95% confidence: amoxicillin, 5.6 ppb; ampicillin, 8.5 ppb; cephapirin, 13.7 ppb; ceftiofur, 46.2 ppb; and penicillin G, 3.6 ppb. These values were within a range of +/- 20% of the manufacturer's data. Selection of negative samples met confidence specifications. Ruggedness parameters were studied and defined, and the stability of frozen milk was verified. There were no interferences from somatic cells (1,000,000 somatic cell count/mL) or bacteria (300,000 colony-forming units/mL), or from 27 other non-beta-lactam animal drugs. Test performance with raw milk samples containing incurred penicillin, ampicillin, and amoxicillin was consistent with the dose responses determined with fortified milk samples. Incurred cephalosporin in raw milk samples was detected at lower levels than was cephalosporin in fortified milk samples, presumably because of the presence of metabolite, as verified by other test methods. Quality control data support consistency in manufacture between batches and the stability of refrigerated test reagents for up to 1 year. Successful fulfillment of these criteria led to FDA certification of the test when used with a reader in U.S. milk testing programs.