Chloramphenicol Residues in Retailed Chicken in Davao City Public Markets

Chloramphenicol is a broad-spectrum bacteriostatic agent used against pathogenic microorganisms particularly members of the Enterobacteriaceae such as Escherichia spp. and Salmonella spp., which are responsible for broad range of infections in animals, making this drug prominently used in veterinary medicine. Concerns about chloramphenicol side effects such as genotoxicity, embryo toxicity and fetotoxicity, its carcinogenic potential to humans and the lack of a dose-response relationship for aplastic anaemia prompted authorities to ban chloramphenicol as a drug for food-producing animals in many countries. This study was conducted to screen the presence of chloramphenicol residues in retailed chicken sold in selected public markets in Davao City. Eightyfour (84) samples were tested, which consisted of 42 chicken breast and chicken liver. Screening was done using enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) method. The results showed that six out of 42 (14%) chicken breast and five out of 42 (12%) chicken liver were positive for chloramphenicol residues. There is no significant difference between the number of positive samples in chicken breast and liver. Overall, 11 out of 84 samples (13%) of the retailed chicken breast and liver sold in Davao City public markets were positive for chloramphenicol residues with concentrations ranging from 0.03 to 0.29 ng/g. Based on the results, it can be inferred that there is still continued use of this drug for food-producing animals despite the prohibition from food regulatory authorities. The researcher recommended the prudent use of antimicrobials to food-producing animals and appropriate screening of antibiotics by food regulatory authorities to ensure food safety and eliminate food-associated hazards to consumers.