Biochemicals

Ractopamine is a beta agonist, is used as a feed additive to promote leanness in pigs raised for their meat. Despite its use in industrial countries such as the United States and Canada, it is banned in 150 other countries, including the European Union and China. Ractopamine has been shown to induce aggression and phyciological effects in pigs.

Zilpaterol is a beta-adrenergic agonist.

Zeranol, a non-steroidal estrogen agonist, is a mycotoxin derived from the Fusarium family. A potent estrogen agonist, it is used in both the United States and Canada for growth promotion in livestock. Zeranol is not approved for use in the European Union.

Zaleplon is a non-benzodiazepine sedative/hypotic of the pyrazolopyrimidine class. Despite not being a benzodiazepine, zaleplon is not considered a significant improvement over benzodiazepines in terms of side effects. Zaleplon’s side effects are similar to benzodiazepines, and it also can cause hallucinations, abnormal behavior, severe confusion, headache, nausea and other untoward effects.

Tylosin is a macrolide antibiotic mainly used in veterinary medicine for a variety of infections. It is most effective against Gram positive bacteria and has a limited activity towards Gram negative bacteria. Tylosin is a bacterial protein synthesis inhibitor, causing inhibion by binding to the 50S subunit of the bacterial ribosome.