Oxytetracycline Residues in Honey Analyzed by Liquid Chromatography with Uv Detection

American foulbrood (AFB) and European foulbrood (EFB) are destructive, infectious bacterial diseases in honeybees (Apis melifera), which can severely decrease the honey bee population and honey production (Gojmerac, 1980). American foulbrood spores are highly-resistant and can remain vital in combs and honey for many years. To control outbreaks of these infections in honeybee colonies, tetracyclines are shown to be effective. These compounds are wide spectrum antibiotics with properties to prevent the growth of bacteria by inhibition of protein synthesis. Oxytetracycline belongs to the tetracyclines group and is commonly applied by beekeepers. There are many regulatory problems and inconsistencies associated with the use of the oxytetracycline antibiotic in apiculture. According to The European Medicine Agency (EMEA) summary opinion, regarding the establishment of maximum residue limit (MRL) for oxytetracycline in honey, a provisional MRL of 25 μg/ kg has been set, which will expire on 01.01.2014, for the parent drug of OTC and its 4-epimer (EMEA Summary Report , 2008). However, in accordance with the Regulation (EC) No 470/2009 and Commission Regulation (EU) No 37/2010, no MRL exists for this compound in honey and it is banned in Europe. So, the European Union (EU) does not allow the use of oxytetracycline, or anything else from the tetracyclines group, for treatment of honeybees. The presence of any detectable residues of these antibiotics could mean that the honey cannot be commercialized in the EU. Unlike the EU countries, other countries like the United States and Brazil, allow the use of OTC for treatment of AFB and the maximum residue limit for OXYTETRACYCLINE RESIDUES IN HONEY ANALYZED BY LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY WITH UV DETECTION