Inadvertent consumption of drug residues in fish and fish products is a major factor contributing to incidence of drug resistant strains of micro-organisms in consumers. This study was designed to investigate the prevalence and concentrations of frequently used antibiotics (Enrofloxacin, Gentamic in and Tetracycline) by farmers in catfish grow-out production in Ibadan, a major hub of catfish cultivation in Nigeria.
Simple random sampling technique was used to select three (3) Local Government Areas (LGAs) namely, Iddo,
Ibadan Northwest and Akinyele. Proportionate sampling technique was employed to select forty (40) fish farms from where eighty (80) samples of marketable African Catfish C. gariepinus
(475± 7.58g) were collected for laboratory analysis. Antibiotic residues in the fish muscles were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
All the fish samples (100%) contained residues of Gentamicin and Tetracycline while 76% of the samples had residues of Enrofloxacin . Further, the average concentrations of Enrofloxacin , Gentamicin and Tetracycline in the fish muscles were 17.27±1.72 μg /kg, 40.52±2.95 μg /kg and 198.40±9.3 μg/kg, respectively. None of the catfish samples had concentrations of Enrofloxacin and Gentamicin above the allowable limits (100 μg /kg), whereas there was preponderance of Tetracycline concentrations, and above allowable limit (200 μg /kg).
The high prevalence and concentrations of the considered antibiotic residues in the sampled fish give room for food safety concerns because of the long-term public health effects. It is imperative that the use of antimicrobial agents in fish production be regulated, and that programs for responsible aquaculture be developed.
Keywords: African catfish, antimicrobial agents, a quaculture, food safety, public health