Residues and health risk assessment of quinolones and sulfonamides in cultured fish from Pearl River Delta, China

Abstract

Residues of six selected veterinary antibiotics (three quinolones and three sulfonamides) in cultured fish samples from the Pearl River Delta, South China, were investigated. The results revealed that quinolones and sulfonamides were widely distributed in the cultured fishes. The concentrations of total quinolones ranged from 2.5 to 185.7μgkg−1 wet weight (w. wt) while the concentrations of total sulfonamides ranged between <LOD and 140.5μgkg−1 (w. wt). Higher levels of veterinary antibiotics (VAs) were found in freshwater fishes than marine fishes. The eel and bass contained the highest concentrations of total quinolones (185.7±19.9μgkg−1 w. wt) and total sulfonamides (140.5±12.5μgkg−1 w. wt) in the muscle tissue, respectively. The estimated daily intake (EDI) results showed that the contribution of investigated fishes to dietary intakes of quinolones and sulfonamides were far below the acceptable daily intake (ADI). It would not seem to pose a risk to the public health. Due to the potential risk of antibiotics on the aquatic environment and human health, further investigation on the impact of these emerging pollutants is urgently encouraged. Statement of relevanceWe wish to draw the attention of the Editor to the following facts which may be considered as potential conflicts of interest and to significant financial contributions to this work. We wish to confirm that there are no known conflicts of interest associated with this publication and there has been no significant financial support for this work that could have influenced its outcome. We confirm that the manuscript has been read and approved by all named authors and that there are no other persons who satisfied the criteria for authorship but are not listed. We further confirm that the order of authors listed in the manuscript has been approved by all of us. We confirm that we have given due consideration to the protection of intellectual property associated with this work and that there are no impediments to publication, including the timing of publication, with respect to intellectual property. In so doing we confirm that we have followed the regulations of our institutions concerning intellectual property. We further confirm that any aspect of the work covered in this manuscript that has involved either experimental animals or human patients has been conducted with the ethical approval of all relevant bodies and that such approvals are acknowledged within the manuscript.