Determination of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) in Milk and Fresh Cheese Based on the Inhibition of Cyclooxygenase

Luigi Campanella*, Giulia Di Persio, Manuela Pintore, Daniele Tonnina, Nicola Caretto, Elisabetta Martini and Dalina Lelo

Department of Chemistry, University of Rome 'La Sapienza', P.le Aldo Moro 5, IT-00185 Rome, Italy

Article history:
Received February 25, 2008
Accepted February 9, 2009

Key words:
food analysis, COX, inhibition biosensor

Summary:
A biosensor for rapid determination of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is described based on the inhibition of cyclooxygenase enzyme (both isoforms) by NSAIDs. The results show the full validity of the method, which has also been optimized by comparing the inhibition of two enzyme isoforms, COX-1 and COX-2, in the presence of different tested pharmaceutical drugs (diclofenac, naproxen, ibuprofen, tolmetin). Also, recovery trials were performed in milk and fresh cheese adulterated with known quantities of NSAIDs, always obtaining recovery values >88 %.

*Corresponding author:           luigi.campanella@uniroma1.it
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