Evaluation of ELISA tests as screeninig methods for determination of antibiotics and sulfonamides in honey

Abstract

The health safety of honey includes the correctness in terms of the presence of different contaminants, which also implies the antibiotic residue. The presence of antibiotics in honey is prohibited, and methods of food analysis are prescribed in order to reliably determine antibiotics in food. In this paper the application of ELISA tests for determination of selected antibiotics and sulfonamides in honey is shown. The possibility of using four ELISA tests for the analysis of tetracyclines, streptomycines, chloramphenicol and sulfonamides was examined. Each test was evaluated after application on honey samples spiked with standard solution of a particular analyte. Samples were prepared according to the instructions of the ELISA test manufacturer referring to honey. Results of investigation of all ELISA tests, except for sulphonamides, have shown satisfactory accuracy (73‒111%) and precision (14‒16%). Recovery for sulfametoxypyridazin was low (40%), and for low tetracycline concentration was somewhat higher than acceptable (139%). The detection limits were in accordance with the limits given by the ELISA kit manufacturer and are also satisfactory in relation to the requirements of the legislation (0.075‒3 μg/kg). The test kits can be used to screen the presence of tetracycline, chloramphenicol and streptomycin in the honey, taking into account the obtained validation parameters.