Environmental fate of ceftiofur sodium, a cephalosporin antibiotic. Role of animal excreta in its decomposition

Journal Article · Thu Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1990 · Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/jf00093a064· OSTI ID:6790705

Gilbertson, T J; Hornish, R E; Jaglan, P S; Koshy, K T; Nappier, J L; Stahl, G L; Cazers, A R; Nappier, J M; Kubicek, M F; Hoffman, G A; Hamlow, P J ^[1]

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1. Upjohn Co., Kalamazoo, MI (USA)

The degradation of ceftiofur sodium, a wide-spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic, was studied in the urine and feces of cattle, in three soils, and in buffers of pH 5, 7, and 9. Photodegradation was also studied. Fortification of cattle feces with ({sup 14}C)ceftiofur showed that it was quickly degraded to microbiologically inactive metabolites. Sterilization of the cattle feces inhibited the degradation of ceftiofur, which suggests that microorganisms or heat-labile substances may be responsible for the degradation. The t{sub 1/2} values of aerobic degradation of ceftiofur sodium in California, Florida, and Wisconsin soil were found to be 22.2, 49.0, and 41.4 days, respectively. Hydrolysis of ceftiofur, as measured by either HPLC or microbiological methods, was accelerated by increasing pH. The t{sub 1/2} values at pH 5, 7, and 9 were 100.3, 8.0, and 4.2 days, respectively, at 22{degree}C and dramatically increased at 47{degree}C. The photodegradation of ceftiofur, as determined by HPLC and a microbiological method, showed that after initial degradation for several days the rate of degradation was minimal, probably due to a protective film formed from degradation products. A major role for feces in the degradation of ceftiofur was observed, although other pathways of degradation such as soil, light, and water were also important.

• OSTI ID: 6790705
• Journal Information: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry; (USA), Vol. 38:3; ISSN 0021-8561
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ANTIBIOTICS
BIODEGRADATION
CARBON 14 COMPOUNDS
CATTLE
FECES
PH VALUE
PHOTOLYSIS
SOILS
TRACER TECHNIQUES
ANIMALS
ANTI-INFECTIVE AGENTS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BIOLOGICAL WASTES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
DOMESTIC ANIMALS
DRUGS
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
MAMMALS
MATERIALS
PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS
RUMINANTS
VERTEBRATES
WASTES
540220* - Environment
Terrestrial- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
540211 - Environment
Terrestrial- Basic Studies- Radiometric Techniques- (1990-)