Improved turbidimetric assay of tylosin in premix and animal feeds not containing urea.

A turbidimetric method is described for the determination of tylosin in premix and animal feeds not containing urea. This method includes several modifications of existing tylosin turbidimetric and AOAC plate assays to remove interferences from the feed, to concentrate low levels of tylosin, and to reduce the variability of the assay results. An acidic alumina column cleanup step has been incorporated into the method to remove interferences from feed ingredients. A disposable C18 column was used to concentrate the tylosin from low-level feeds, and the use of a larger analytical sample size has decreased the variability of the assay results. Average recoveries of tylosin added to chicken and swine rations were 98 and 101%, respectively.