Determination and health risk assessment of enrofloxacin, flumequine and sulfamethoxazole in imported Pangasius catfish products in Thailand

ABSTRACT

The goals of this study were to determine the levels of three antibiotics – enrofloxacin, flumequine and sulfamethoxazole – in Pangasius catfish products imported into Thailand and to assess the health risks from consumption. To extract these antibiotic residues, acetonitrile, methanol and a small amount of formic acid were used as solvents. Determination of the antibiotics after extraction steps was carried out by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) technique. The results showed that 14 and 3 samples of Pangasius catfish products were contaminated with enrofloxacin and sulfamethoxazole, respectively. No flumequine residue was found. While the concentration levels of these antibiotics in most contaminated samples were lower than the European Union (EU) standard, one sample was found to contain sulfamethoxazole at 245.91 µg kg⁻¹, which was higher than the EU standard (100 µg kg⁻¹), indicating the likelihood that some contaminated freshwater fish products are widely distributed in Thai markets. Notably, the concentration levels of enrofloxacin in samples of Pangasius catfish with skin were higher than in non-skin products, suggesting that products with skin might retain more antibiotic residues than non-skin products. Although the hazard quotient showed that consuming imported Pangasius catfish products, based on the current consumption rate, will not adversely affect consumer health, antibiotic residues in Pangasius catfish products imported into Thailand should be continually monitored.

KEYWORDS:

• Antibiotics
• ASEAN countries
• enrofloxacin
• food safety
• LC-MS/MS
• Pangasius catfish products
• sulfamethoxazole
• Thailand

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the Thailand Research Fund and the National Research Council of Thailand (RDG5650067).

Supplementary Materials