Detection of trimethoprim residues from retailed dressed chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) tissues in Iloilo City

Abstract

Poultry and livestock industries were prime contributors to agriculture outputs, which correlates with the growth of the human population. While poultry is an important protein source globally, concerns about antibiotic residues are also arising, affecting public health. This study focuses on detecting Trimethoprim (TMP) residues in chicken meat sold in Iloilo City using an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) rapid test kit. TMP is an antibiotic used to treat various bacterial infections in chickens. The study aimed to detect Trimethoprim (TMP) residues from Chicken meat cuts sold in major Iloilo City retail locations. The study found positive TMP concentrations in some chicken samples; however, residues were not found confined to specific cuts of chicken tissue but were shown in two (2) instances to be pervasive throughout the chicken carcass, considering the samples were taken randomly on specific standard cuts. Therefore, no conclusions can be made correlating TMP residues to the retail location or cut of chicken meat bought. Thus, there is a need for further investigation at the farm and slaughterhouse levels to understand the factors contributing to antibiotic residues in chicken meat.