Monitoring of Antibiotic Residues in Chicken Meat, Cow and Buffalo Milk Samples in Nepal

Abstract

In animal products, antibiotic residue is a serious concern for public health in the Himalayan nation, Nepal. A cross-sectional study on antibiotic residues in chicken meat, milk samples of cows, and buffaloes was conducted in selected districts of different provinces of Nepal. Altogether 126 chicken meat samples, 42 each from Kailali (Farwestern Province), Kaski (Gandaki Province), and Nuwakot (Bagmati Province) districts were tested for tetracycline, sulphonamides, penicillin, gentamicin, streptomycin residues by the ELISA method. At Kaski district approximately 57 % (24/42), 50 % (21/42) and 83% (35/42) of meat samples were tested positive for gentamicin (mean-ppb:11.5 μg/Kg/L), tetracycline (mean-ppb:1.44 μg/Kg/L), and fluoroquinolones (mean-ppb: 11.46 μg/ Kg/L) residues respectively. In Kailali and Nuwakot district, 48% (20/42) and 50 % (21/ 42) of meat samples deemed positive for sulphonamides (mean-ppb:15.9 μg/ Kg/L) and penicillin (mean-ppb: 0.39 μg/ Kg/L) residues, respectively. Of the total 168 tests performed in milk samples from Kavre district, 55% (93/168) of the milk samples were tested positive to antibiotic residues for gentamicin, streptomycin, and sulphonamides. The chicken meat samples had antibiotic residues within the national maximum residue limit (MRL); however, milk samples exceeded the national MRL for sulphonamides residues (mean-ppb: 26.44 μg/ Kg/L). The effective surveillance for antibiotic residues in animal products should be implemented strictly in Nepal.
 Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 8(3): 355-362