Evaluating the amount of antibiotic residues in raw milk samples obtained from cows in Borujerd city

Using the antibiotics is common in feedlots for domestic animals and livestock in order to control and cure their infectious diseases and for their growth. From the viewpoint of international standards, the presence of antibiotics in milk and other dairy products is not acceptable because they may cause allergic reactions and digestion problems in the consumers. All antibiotics can remain in the milk of an animal for a while after it takes them. Therefore, drinking the milk may cause the antibiotics to be transferred to the body of the consumers. The present study aims to analyze the antibiotic residues in the raw milk collected from different cows in Borujerd city.
In order to do a descriptive study, 150 raw milk samples were collected from the cows in several traditional and modern feedlots in rural areas of Borujerd city in November and December 2015. Then the samples were tested for antibiotic residues using the COPAN test.
30 samples (20%) of all the 150 tested samples were positive in terms of antibiotic residues after being tested with the above-mentioned method.
It seems as if with the increase in using antibiotics in feedlots, more elaborate studies are needed to specify the type and amount of the remaining of antibiotics in raw milk and dairy products in the country.