Browsing by Author "Mmbando, Louis Mshakale Gregory"

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Investigation of oxytetracycline use and abuse: determination of its residues in meat consumed in Dodoma and Morogoro municipalities
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2004) Mmbando, Louis Mshakale Gregory
In spile of oxytetracycline (OTC) being a widely used drug in livestock production in Tanzania for many years, there is no published information on its use and occurrence of its residues in the meat consumed in the country. This study was aimed at establishing the mode of OTC use, the occurrence and levels of its residues in the meat consumed in Dodoma and Morogoro regions. The mode of OTC use was studied by the administration of a questionnaire to respondents in some of the slaughter cattle catchment areas. The residue occurrence levels were accomplished by analysis of 131 muscle, liver and kidney samples by using the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique. OTC sample extraction was done using a pH 4.0 Mcllavaine-EDTA buffer and cleanup by application on Supelclean LC-18 solid phase extraction (S.P.E.) cartridges. OTC quantification was done by using an ATIUNICAM H.P.L.C. system with an electron capture UV detector set at 350nm. The separation of OTCs was carried out by an RP 8-10 Lichrosorb (4.6 mmd x 25cm) column and a Methanol: Acetonitrile: O.OlMaq. Oxalic Acid mobile phase in the ratio 1:2:7 V/V/V, respectively. The study established a high degree of OTC abuse of use especially by the livestock keepers through overdosing by as much as 10-20 times the recommended therapeutic doses, use of wrong routes of administration, arbitrary drug combinations and non-observance of the OTC withdrawal period. Out of the 131 beef samples analysed, 54 (41.2%) had detectable OTC residues. Furthermore 41 (31.3%) samples had violative OTC residues levels compared to the FAO/WHO 1999 OTC maximum residue levels (MRLs) of 0.2 mg/kg (muscle), 0.6 mg/kg (liver) and 1.2mg/kg (kidney). Violative OTC residues ranged from 0.52 mg/kg to 8.98mg/kg of tissue. The 31.3% violative samples, coupled with the high mean OTC residue concentrations observed were very significant compared to those of other countries. It is an indication of the seriousness of the OTC abuse problem with its attendant residue occurrence and harmful effects on public health, our international trade of animal products and the environment. Deliberate steps need to be taken by the state to redress the situation before it gets worse.