Abstract

The study was planned to detect antibiotics residues present in beef in Ghanawa slaughterhouse, Khartoum State. The methodology was based on the collection of information from the owners of the cattle (n = 50), and veterinary pharmacies (n = 50) by means of questionnaire as well as the one plate test (O. P. T.) was employed for estimation of antibiotics residues in different organs of the cattle. The main results showed that most of the owners did not consult veterinarians 88% (n = 44). Furthermore, the majority of veterinarians in pharmacies 76% (n = 38) left dose restriction and administration to the owners. Using one plate test (O. P. T.) revealed that out of 300 cattle 52 (17.33%) showed positive results in one or more of their organs and there was no significant correlation level recorded for season and antibiotic residues (c² = 0.720, P = 0.698, P > 0.05). Out of 300 kidneys tested, 30 (10%) showed positive result, while out of 300 livers tested, 23 (7.66%) were positive, and out of 300 muscles tested 9 (3%) were positive. The age group of 4 to 6 years scored high positive percentage (19.49%), (n = 46 out of 236 of that age group) (c² = 286.260, P = 0.000, P < 0.01). Moreover, the cross-breed had the higher percentage of positive (20%) (n = 2 out of 10 of that breed) (c² = 397.293, P = 0.000, P < 0.01). In conclusion, the findings of this work indicated that a problem of antibiotics abuse in cattle for meat production and the percentage of positive samples were considered to be high.

Key words: Antibiotic residues, cattle^'s meat, Sudan.