The occurrence of antibiotic residues in pooled raw cow milk samples of Palakkad, Kerala

Antibiotic residues in milk pose a potential risk to the health ofnconsumers and are of public health significance due to the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance. The present study was conducted to assess oxytetracycline and enrofloxacin residues in pooled raw milk samples in Palakkad district. A total of 120 pooled raw milk samples collected from five co-operative societies in Palakkad district were screened by Microbial Inhibition Assay (MIA). The positive samples were subjected to charm assay to determine whether the level of antibiotic residues viz., oxytetracycline and enrofloxacin were within or above Maximum Residual Limit (MRL). Of the 120 samples screened using MIA, 14 samples (11.67 per cent) were found to be positive for antibiotic residues. The occurrence of tetracyclines and enrofloxacin residues in pooled raw milk samples was found to be respectively 3.33 and 4.16 per cent using charm assay. Statistical analysis using chi-square test for multiple proportions revealed that the occurrence of antibiotic residues between the cooperative societies did not differ significantly (p > 0.05). The occurrence of antibiotic residues inmilk necessitates prudent use of antibiotics, observance of the withdraw al period and monitoring system for antibiotic residues in foods of animal origin