Detection of Residual Antibiotics and Their Differential Distribution in Broiler Chicken Tissues Using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay

The aim of this study was to estimate the residue levels of five commonly used antibiotics in poultry tissue samples using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A total of 200 samples that comprised breast and liver (100 each) were collected from five poultry farms randomly selected from Muscat regions. The samples were analyzed for enrofloxacin (ENR), gentamicin (GEN), oxytetracycline (OTC), sulfamethazine (SMZ), and tylosin (TYL) residue concentrations. Comparisons of antibiotic residues between breast and liver of chickens under investigations showed a significant difference of ENR, GEN, OTC, SMZ, and TYL residue concentrations (p < 0.05). The highest antibiotic residue concentrations reported in the chicken liver were TYL, GEN, OTC, SMZ, and ENR, respectively. The lowest residual antibiotic concentrations observed in the chicken breast were TYL, GEN, OTC, SMZ, and ENR, respectively. Furthermore, the Kruskal–Wallis statistical test revealed a significant difference between the five antibiotic concentrations in both breast (H (4) = 54.69, p < 0.05) and liver (H (4) = 44.36, p < 0.05). A follow up of this finding by Bonferroni correction for both breast and liver samples revealed a significant difference for the breast sample between the concentration of ENR residue, and the concentration of residues for of both OTC and TYL (p < 0.05). These data show that not all tissues incorporate antibiotics at the same concentration. The results of this study could support regulatory bodies in adopting, monitoring, and enforcing guidelines pertinent to safety levels of different antibiotic residue concentrations in poultry meat when antibiotics are used for different indications.