Detection of sulfonamide and tetracycline antibiotic residues in Turkish pine honey

Abstract

Pine honey is a honeydew honey that can be produced endemically in eastern Mediterranean. Turkey is the world’s largest producer of pine honey with around 95% export share. Antibiotic residue in honey is still an important problem worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine sulfonamide and tetracycline group antibiotics in pine honey collected from Aegean Region of Turkey. For this purpose, 59 natural pine honey samples were detected by competitive enzyme-linked immunoassay method. Tetracycline group antibiotics were found in 35 honey samples out of 59 between 6 and 42 ppb, whereas in 24 of the samples the levels were below the detection level (< 4 ppb). Sulfonamide group antibiotics were found in 31 honey samples out of 59 between 3 and 32 ppb, while 28 samples were below the detection limit (< 2 ppb). There are no maximum residue limits established for antibiotics in honey according to the European Community regulations, which means honeys should not contain antibiotics.