ELISA based monitoring and analysis of tetracycline residues in cattle milk in various districts of punjab

Abstract

Background: Tetracycline antibiotics are widely used for prevention and control of disease. However, the presence of tetracycline antibiotics residues in food is a serious public health concern because of the harmful effects of these residues on consumer's health. Therefore, it is necessary to detect tetracycline residues in food of animal origin keeping in view the food safety issues and problem related to antibiotic resistance.Aim: To investigate and monitor the occurrence of tetracycline residues in cattle milk in five districts of Punjab. Materials and Methods: In this study, a total of 133 cattle milk samples were collected from dairies of 5 districts of Punjab state, India in May, 2013 and were tested and analyzed for their contamination status with tetracycline residues. Results: Out of these 133 milk samples analyzed, 18 samples were found to contain tetracycline residues. The percentages of tetracycline detected in the samples from 5 districts were in the range of 0-46.15%. The concentration of tetracycline residues in cattle milk samples were found to be in the range 16-134.5 ppb. Conclusions: Three samples exceeded the maximum recommended tetracycline antibiotic residue levels (MRLs) as prescribed by the European Union and the Codex Alimentarius Commission. © The authors.