Abstract
AbstractConsumption of traces of veterinary drug residues through dairy products could have adverse effects on human health. There is, therefore, the need for routine monitoring of drug residues in dairy products on the market. In this study, fresh milk, cheese, and yogurt being sold at different points in the Kumasi metropolis were analyzed for residues of chloramphenicol, sulfathiazole, sulfamethoxazole, and oxytetracycline — four commonly used veterinary drugs in the country. The concentrations found were generally very low and close to the method detection limit of 0.1 μg/kg. Concentration of chloramphenicol in yogurt (0.8 μg/L) was the highest among all the residues studied. However, with the residue levels being hundred folds lower than the maximum residue limit, they are highly unlikely to pose any health risks to the consumers. Therefore, as far as chloramphenicol, sulfathiazole, sulfamethoxazole, and oxytetracycline in fresh milk, cheese, and yogurt are concerned, this study did not indicate any ...
Highlights
Veterinary drugs are used in livestock to treat diseases, maintain herd and flock health, promote growth, improve meat quality, and reduce production costs (1)
Fresh milk, cheese, and yogurt being sold at different points in the Kumasi metropolis were analyzed for residues of chloramphenicol, sulfathiazole, sulfamethoxazole, and oxytetracycline — four commonly used veterinary drugs in the country
The aim of this study is to determine residues of commonly used antibiotics in milk, locally made cheese and yogurt and to compare the levels of the drug residues to that of the maximum residual limits given by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)
Summary
Veterinary drugs are used in livestock to treat diseases, maintain herd and flock health, promote growth, improve meat quality, and reduce production costs (1). Veterinary drugs are used on a large scale for both therapeutic and prophylactic purposes. The majority of the drugs are administered as feed additives or via drinking water in order to prevent the outbreak of diseases or to improve the growth of the animals (2). Therapeutic drugs are given in case of disease, for drying-off purposes, or for the prevention of losses during transportation. Misapplication of the drugs, overdose, non-compliance of withdrawal times after application, and other irresponsible use of veterinary drugs has resulted in the occurrence of unwanted residues of drugs in food of animal origin. Antimicrobial drug residues have been proven to accumulate in tissues of food animals and their respective by-products in different parts of the world (5)
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