RESUMO
Aims: This study was conducted to detect the presence of oxytetracycline residues in table eggs in Khartoum State and to compare its level with the international acceptable maximum residue limits (MRLs). Study Design: One hundred and eighty table egg samples were randomly collected from 18 sale points in the three localities of Khartoum State, Sudan, (60 eggs from Omdurman, 60 eggs from Khartoum and 60 eggs from Khartoum North). Place and Duration of Study: Samples collected from Khartoum State during August and September, 2015. Methodology: Microbiological inhibition assay was used to screen the presence of antibiotic residues using Bacillus subtilis seeded in nutrient agar. Ninety positive egg samples from the microbiological inhibition assay were analyzed to detect the presence and quantity of oxytetracycline residues using HPLC. Results: Microbiological inhibition assay showed that 50% of the tested samples were positive for antibiotic residues in Omdurman, Khartoum and Khartoum North with 34(18.9%), 28(15.6%), and 28(15.6%) of the antibiotics respectively. HPLC results showed that 63(70%) were positive for oxytetracycline residues 19(10.5%) from Omdurman, 21(11.6%) from Khartoum and 23(12.7%) from Khartoum North. Conclusion: It was concluded that high percentage of table eggs contained oxytetracycline residues above the MRLs (0.2 ppm) that indicated the widespread misuse of oxytetracycline in poultry farms that may cause health hazards to consumers in Khartoum State. Therefore the study recommends compliance of drug withdrawal periods in poultry farms could reduce the incidence of antibiotic residues in consumed eggs.