Detection of enrofloxacine residues by microbiological screening method

Abstract

The usage of microbiological screening tests is widespread in control of presence of antimicrobial drug residues in meat samples. Screening tests must be capable to detect antimicrobial drug residue of interest and detection limits must comply with MRL (Maximum Residue Limit). The aim of this study was to examine the performance of a microbiological screening test with E. coli as test microorganism: capability of detecting enrofloxacina and it’s main metabolite ciprofloxacine at MRL levels in both fortified and incurred chicken tissue samples. Detection limits of microbiological screening test with E. coli was 50 ng/g for enrofloxacin and 25 ng/g for ciprofloxacin. Screening test had positive results in all samples of fortified and incurred meat with residue concentrations above MRL level. The results of this examinations shows that microbiological screening test with E. coli, as simple and cost effective test, is capable to detect enrofloxacine and it’s metabolite ciprofloxacine in treated poultry at MRL level ie test is capable to detect unsafe poultry meat.