SCREENING OF ANTIBIOTIC RESIDUES IN POULTRY MUSCLE IN LEBANESE RETAIL MARKETS

Antibiotics are used in poultry farms for therapeutic, prophylactic, metaphylactic and nutritive purposes, however the extensive and non-irrational use of antibiotics in livestock production may leave residues that are potentially hazardous to health. Therefore, this study was carried out on 250 raw meat chicken collected from Lebanese retail market to evaluate the residues level of commonly used antibiotic using three analytical methods: immuno-enzymatic (ELISA) and chemical(HPLC).A questionnaire-based survey identified the different antibiotics used in poultry farms. ELISA test showed positive results for 65of samples (%), while HPLC detected 78.8 %. Furthermore, the concentrations of antibiotic residues were in the ranges of 6.3-11 μg.Kg-1with ELISA, while HPLC showed concentration ranges of 0.01-1.6 mg.Kg-1 for tetracycline. The Mean of residue levels were above the Codex MRL (or FAO WHO) recommended limit. These findings confirmed the presence of antibiotic residues in chicken meat samples, Therefore, it is recommended to apply restricted measures and enforcement of regulations to prevent the irrational use of drugs in poultry industry as well as to implement the inspection of chickens for drug residues prior to marketing.