Pharmacological Effects and Assays

Beta-adrenergic agonists — compounds like clenbuterol, ractopamine, and zilpaterol — are fed to livestock to redirect energy from fat deposition toward lean muscle growth, improving feed efficiency and carcass composition. Their use is tightly regulated or outright banned in many countries because residues in meat can cause cardiovascular and other adverse effects in people who consume it, making reliable detection methods a pressing concern. Researchers are working to understand exactly how these drugs alter muscle fiber structure, tenderness, and water-holding capacity in ways that affect meat quality even when dosing appears compliant. At the same time, efforts continue to develop faster and more sensitive assays — including immunoassay platforms and electrochemical biosensors — capable of identifying trace residue levels across a range of animal species and tissue types.

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Keywords

ClenbuterolRactopamineZilpaterolMeat QualityLivestockPerformance