Detection and Presumptive Identification of Antibiotic Residues in Poultry Meat by Using FPT

A total of 100 chicken samples (breast and thigh), 50 fresh carcass samples, 25 local frozen samples and 25 imported frozen samples were analyzed and the antibiotic residues were estimated by using Four Plate Test (FPT). Results revealed that 90 %, 88 % and 72 % of fresh, local frozen and imported frozen samples were positive for residues of different antibiotics, respectively. Samples were positive for presence of tetracyclines, sulphonamides, aminoglycosides and quinolones, while were negative for presence of beta-lactam and macrolides. Presence of antibiotic residues in chicken carcasses poses a health risk to consumers such as antibiotic resistance, teratogenicity, carcinogenicity, hepatic and renal failure. Veterinary control of withdrawal times in poultry farms and post-mortem inspection of slaughtered carcasses for antibiotic residues can reduce the incidence of antibiotic residues and improve the quality of chicken meat.