This study investigated the presence of residues of the antimicrobials enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin in broiler chicken tissues from 10 brands sold for human consumption in Curitiba, Brazil. Samples of breast muscle tissue from each brand were tested using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The analysis detected no residues of enrofloxacin or ciprofloxacin above the allowed limits of 20-100 micrograms per kilogram. The results indicate that regulations regarding antimicrobial residue levels in poultry meat for human consumption are being followed by the companies tested in this region of Brazil.

1. REVISTA DE BIOLOGIA E CIÊNCIAS DA TERRA ISSN 1519-5228
36
Volume 14 - Número 2 - 2º Semestre 2014
RESIDUES OF ENROFLOXACIN AND CIPROFLOXACIN IN POULTRY TISSUES
Arnildo Korb1; Eleusis R. de Nazareno2; Paulo R. Dalsenter3; Ciro A. de O. Ribeiro4; Constança Pomba5
ABSTRACT
We investigated the existence of residues of the antimicrobials enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin in
broilers, which are exposed to the consumer in the metropolitan city Curitiba, Brazil. Antimicrobial
residues in animal tissues, above the minimum allowed concentration, pose risks to human health. In
10 samples analyzed by Liquid Chromatography (Mass Spectometry), at the Lanagro laboratory, from
Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply of Brazil, considering a lower limit of 20 μg.kg-1 and
maximum 100 μg.kg-1, no residues of ciprofloxacin and enrofloxacin were detected. These results
showed that in the broiler samples of different brands, these antimicrobials were not detected.
Keywords: Antimicrobial residues, poultry tissues, ciprofloxacin and enrofloxacin.
RESÍDUOS DE ENROFLOXACINA E CIPROFLOXACINA EM TECIDOS DE FRANGOS
RESUMO
Investigou-se a existência de resíduos dos antimicrobianos enrofloxacina e ciprofloxacina em frangos
expostos ao consumo em um município na região metropolitana de Curitiba, Brasil. Resíduos de
antimicrobianos em tecidos animais acima dos limites permitidos (LMR) representam riscos à saúde
humana. Em 10 amostras analisadas pelo laboratório Lanagro, do Ministério da Agricultura Pecuária
e Abastecimento do Brasil, analisadas por Cromatografia Líquida Acoplada à Espectrometria de
Massas, pela metodologia utilizada, não foram detectados resíduos dentro do limite mínimo de 20
μg.kg-1 e máximo de 100 μg.kg-1 permitido.
Palavras chave: Resíduos de antimicrobianos, tecidos de frangos, ciprofloxacina e enrofloxacina.

2. 37
INTRODUCTION
Enrofloxacin is one of the most
common antibiotics used in animal production
(LOLO et al, 2006; REYES-HERRERA et al,
2011) to control Escherichia coli and Salmonella
(HARITOVA et al, 2011) infection. The main
metabolite of this antimicrobial is ciprofloxacin
(GARCIA et al, 2001; GARCIA et al, 2005),
exclusively prescribed for treating severe
infections in humans (BALL, 2000), especially
those caused by β-lactam antibiotic-resistant
bacteria (RUIZ et al, 2012).
Antibiotic residues in products of
animal origin are observed when veterinary
practices are not followed, for example, when
administering higher dosages than those
prescribed, using products for longer than the
recommended duration, and using a non-indicated
route of administration (MICHELL et
al, 1998).
When present in food for human
consumption, antibiotic residues in
concentrations beyond the allowable limits may
present some toxicological effects such as
allergies, in addition to contributing to the
selection of resistant bacteria in human gut
microbiota, thereby compromising antibiotic
therapies (LINDER et al, 2012; KIM et al, 2012).
The maximum residue levels in foods
allowed in Brazil are in accordance with Codex
Alimentarius (Food and Agriculture
Organization) and are authorized by the
European Community. The monitoring control
policies on food residues are established by the
Normative Instruction DAS/MAA 42/1999 of
the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and
Supply and ratified by Normative Instruction no.
7 of March 27, 2013.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock
and Supply, through the laboratory Lanagro, is
responsible for conducting liquid
chromatographic analyses of chicken tissue
samples collected by federal inspection bodies to
verify the presence of quinolone residues.
Publications reporting research results
on antibiotic residues in chickens distributed for
human consumption are either lacking or limited.
METHODOLOGY
In December 2011, a survey of major
chicken brands sold for human consumption was
conducted in Fazenda Rio Grande, in the
metropolitan region of Curitiba. Seventeen
brands were identified in supermarkets and meat
markets. To sample each of the 10 predominant
brands, namely Jaguá, Canção, Maringá,
Goldfrango, Diplomata, Bigfrango, Aurora,
Anhembi, Sadia, and Cooperave, one frozen
chicken was purchased and 100 grams of its
breast was removed. The samples were frozen at
−20ºC and sent to the laboratory of the Ministry
of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (Lanagro),
in the city of Porto Alegre, for liquid
chromatographic analysis coupled with mass
spectrometry. The analysis followed the internal
protocol (method MET RPM/07/02), with
minimum and maximum residue quantification
levels of 20 and 100 μg/kg, respectively, as
adopted by the National Plan for Control of
Residues and Contaminants. The methodology
used by Lanagro follows Directive 2002/657/EC
of the European Union, which establishes
performance indications, criteria, and procedures
for analytical methods.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The method used by Lanagro did not
detect, in the 10 samples tested, any residues with
concentrations within the allowable levels.
A study on chickens distributed for
human consumption in supermarkets and meat
markets in the state capital of Brazil, conducted
in 2011 by the Office of Consumer Protection in
São Paulo, also did not detect any antibiotic
residues, including enrofloxacin and
ciprofloxacin, with concentrations within the
allowable limits (IDEC, 2011).
CONCLUSION
Publications regarding the presence of
antibiotic residues in animal tissues for human
consumption in Brazil are lacking.
At least for the chicken tissue samples
and antibiotics assessed in this study, we can
confirm that regulations regarding toxicological
aspects in terms of allowable minimum and

3. 38
maximum residue levels in meat for domestic
consumption are followed by agribusinesses in
Brazil.
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_____________________________________
1-Nursing Department of the Santa Catarina
State University (UDESC), Rua Licério Sperry,
233 D, Bairro Engenho Braun, CEP 89809360,
Chapecó, SC, Brazil. PhD student in
Environment and Development. CAPES fellow.
arkorb@yahoo.com.br
2-Department of Collective Health of the Federal
University of Paraná (UFPR)
3-Pharmacology Department of the Federal
University of Paraná (UFPR)
4-Toxicology Department of the Federal
University of Paraná (UFPR)
5-Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of
Lisbon (ULisboa)