STUDY ON THE PRESENCE OF ANTIBIOTIC RESIDUES IN HONEY INTENDED FOR PUBLIC CONSUMPTION

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the presence of antibiotic residues in honey sold for human consumption. Specific objectives relates to the determination of residues of streptomycin, tetracycline and erythromycin in 18 samples of different types of honey, such as: acacia honey, linden honey and polyfloral honey. Honey was purchased from Bacau County, in 2012, from the following localities: Moineşti, Onesti and Bacău. Antibiotic residues were determined with the RIA - Charm II test. The results revealed the existence of streptomycin residues in all samples of analyzed honey, above the permissible limits (40 ppb), except linden honey samples from Bacău. Tetracycline residues were found in all samples, the limits were exceeded only for acacia honey from Moineşti and linden honey from Oneşti. Erythromycin residues have not exceeded the limits admitted to any sample, but they showed great variability. In conclusion, at the county level, all types of honey often contain residues of antibiotics, although European rules on consumer safety forbid adding them for prevention. The danger of toxicity is evidenced by the existence of several types of antibiotics in the same batch of honey, regardless of their concentration, due to their potential synergistic effect.

Keywords

• antibiotics
• honey
• residues