Determination of Tetracycline Residues in Broilers Reared in Makurdi Metropolis

Tetracycline residues in broiler tissues were assayed using a microbiological assay method. A total of four hundred samples representing one hundred samples of liver, kidney, lungs and breast muscles each, were collected from five different farms within Makurdi Metropolis. The analysis showed a total of 70 % residue incidence with the liver having 60 %, Kidney 31 %, lungs 14 % and muscles 5 % of the total. The highest concentration, of 6 μg/kg, was seen in the liver from farm 1, which had an incidence of 50 %, with the liver contributing 90 % of the incidence. Farm 2 had an incidence of 75 %, in which the liver contributed with 50 % of the cases. Farm 3 had a 100 % incidence, with the liver contributing with 75 % of the cases. Farm 4 had 75 % incidence, with the liver involved in all cases. Farm 5 had a 50 % incidence, all from the liver and kidney. Despite the higher incidence of 70 %, all the values were significantly (p < 0.01), lower than the recommended Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) or Tolerance of 600, 300 and 200 μg/kg for the liver, kidney and muscle respectively. The values were also in accordance within the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of 0-30 μg/kg, recommended by the Codex Alimentarius. This may be an indication of the rational use of antibiotics in good agricultural management in the selected farms in Makurdi Metropolis. Significantly, it shows that this method can be used mathematically to quantify drug residues in lower income areas.