Ocorrência de resíduos de ionóforos poliéteres em leite UHT comercializado na região metropolitana do Rio de Janeiro

Abstract

Polyether ionophore antibiotics are used in cattle to promote growth, to increase milk production in lactating cows, and to prevent and treat coccidiosis. In Brazil, lasalocid and monensin are the two polyether ionophores that are allowed as antimicrobial additives in cattle and dairy cow feed. However, there are few methods for determining the residues of these additives in milk, and no monitoring data are available in Brazil. These residues are not yet included in the residue control programs in the milk matrix implemented by the National Sanitary Surveillance Agency and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply. The present study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of 6 polyether ionophores in UHT milk using an analytical method developed and validated by the National Institute for Quality Control in Health. The method was applied to 102 samples of whole UHT milk marketed in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro. In the analyzed samples, only residues of the antibiotic monensin were found. The residues were detected in 14% of the samples; however, the estimated concentrations were well below the maximum residue limit of 2 µg/kg recommended by the Codex Alimentarius and the European Community.