Enrofloxacin Residue in Chicken Tissues from Tehran Slaughterhouses in Iran

Two hundred and seventy chicken muscle, liver and kidney samples from 90 broiler farm in Tehran province of Iran were collected over a period of one year starting from August 2001. All chicken had been slaughtered in Tehran slaughterhouse. High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was used for separating, detecting and analyzing of Enrofloxacin residues in samples. All samples showed Enrofloxacin residues and samples from 22 (24% of farms showed residues of Enrofloxacin above MRLs (Maximum Residue Limits). 8 (8.88%),12 (13.33%) and 22 (24.44%) of muscle, liver and kidney samples showed residues of Enrofloxacin above MRLs respectively. The mean concentrations of Enrofloxacin in muscle, liver and kidney samples were 18.32±32.29SD, 18.34±12.36 SD and 26.06±19.52 SD ng/g respectively. This study confirmed widespread misuses of Enrofloxacin in farms and lack of implementation of recommended withdrawal times. Also the results of this study emphasized on harder regulations for the use of antimicrobial drugs in poultry industry as well as the inspection of chickens for drug residues prior to marketing.