Current advancement in analysis of β-agonists

β-agonists are a group of synthetic phenylethanolamine compounds which are known as effective nutrient repartitioning agents and growth promoters in livestock rearing. However, occurrence of β-agonists have been recognized as potential threat to human health by “carry over” of β-agonists into edible animal tissue and milk via contaminated feed or water. Detection of β-agonists at trace amount level in various sample matrixes including feed, edible animal tissue, milk, animal urine and hair and so on are real analytical challenges. In this article, we reviewed the current achievement in analysis of β-agonists, with an emphasis on novel analytical technologies that developed for β-agonists detection. Further challenges and new strategies for β-agonists analysis were also discussed.