Abstract
The mastitis causing microorganisms resist beta-lactam antibiotics by releasing beta-lactamase and the enzyme can be traced in raw milk. This study was aimed at developing a novel platform test to detect beta-lactam antibiotics residues in raw milk based on the Hardy Diagnostic Beta-lactamase Test (HDBT) reagent. The HDBT ingredients modified were penicillin, sodium chloride, trisodium citric acid, trisodium phosphate and phenol red dissolved in distilled water. Pooled raw milk samples were obtained from 3 Friesians and 3 Ayrshires lactating cows identified to have subclinical mastitis and treated using beta-lactam antibiotics. The appropriate mixing ratios were investigated at nine levels. Investigation on the effect of breeds on the test method results was also carried out. Evaluations to determine the colour differences between beta-lactam positive and negative raw milk samples for all the experiments were carried out using trained panelists. The results indicate that gradual addition of trisodium phosphate and phenol red in the reagent showed significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) between a beta-lactam positive and negative raw milk sample. Ratio 5:5 was selected as the best and had significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) from the others. Conversely, the test method indicated no significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) between the Friesians and Ayrshires raw milk samples. This method can be used along the raw milk collection routes to accept, set aside or reject raw milk suspected to have residues. The colour observed for a beta-lactam negative sample was fuchsia purple while peach or pink signified a positive sample. Key words: Raw milk, antibiotic residues, beta-lactam, beta-lactamase enzyme, trisodium phosphate
Highlights
In the Kenyan value chain, rapid antibiotic residues testing are not up to standard (Orwa et al, 2017) and a need to improve the quality control procedures is paramount
In the third experiment, where each ingredient was added three times more of the Hardy Diagnostic Beta-lactamase Test (HDBT) indicated amount, reagent 7, which had more of trisodium phosphate, gave clear differences between a positive and a negative raw milk sample (Figure 1)
This study aimed at developing a test that can be applied in detecting beta-lactam residues
Summary
In the Kenyan value chain, rapid antibiotic residues testing are not up to standard (Orwa et al, 2017) and a need to improve the quality control procedures is paramount. They should serve as a basis for accepting or rejecting raw milk. Milk processors should be encouraged to assess raw milk on residues before acceptance to ensure food safety (Kurjogi et al, 2019; Mwagore et al, 2019) and avoid miss productions when manufacturing fermented products Factors limiting such quality control tests should be investigated and addressed together with the chain actors
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
