Determination of Antibiotic Residues in Traditional and Industrial Raw Milks Produced in Fasa City During 2019-20

This study was performed to select the best commercial antibiotic kit from 5 types of kits including Copan, Beta Star, Max BT, Twin Sensor and Tri-Sensor. Then, the antibiotic residue in industrial and traditional cattle farms in different seasons and months of 2019-20 were compared and the effect of antibiotic consumption on the total microbial count was investigated. The results obtained from the evaluation of commercial kits showed that the Tri- Sensor had the least error and was selected as the best kit due to the shorter time required to show the result. In addition, the statistical results revealed that the milk contaminated with antibiotics sent to factories and milk delivery stations in all seasons in traditional farms was more than industrial farms. Among 291 traditional cattle farms and 28 selected industrial cattle farms, the highest infection with antibiotics was observed in summer and in July, which were 33.99 % and 44.33 % related to the traditional cattle farms and 17.86 % and 25.75 % related to the industrial cattle farms, respectively. The effect of antibiotic consumption on the total count showed that it has a significant effect on reducing the microbial count. Due to the per capita milk consumption in Fasa city, this rate of antibiotic contamination significantly affects the population which are more at risk including children, the elderly, pregnant women and patients. This study shows the need for more attention by legislators and regulators to control and minimize these contaminants.