Monitoring of ivermectin residues in bovine and pork tissues

Abstract

Argentina is traditionally a beef-producing country. However, in recent years other productions have grown exponentially. Due to improvements in technology or economic issues, consumer preferences have changed for cheaper meats. Animal production systems are closely linked to veterinary drug use for prevention, control, or treatment of parasitic diseases. Consequently, if good agricultural practices are not respected, products obtained from these productions could present residues above the Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs). In this context, ivermectin (IVM) is one of the most widely used to treat parasitic diseases. Consequently, the current study aimed to assess the presence of IVM residues in bovine and pork tissues for local consumption in Buenos Aires province (Argentina). Samples of bovine/pork tissues were taken for 3 years in 5 cities of Buenos Aires province. Tissue samples were analyzed by HPLC (fluorescence detector). Using the @Risk software the risk of consuming tissues with IVM residues above the Admitted Daily Intake (ADI) was evaluated. IVM residues were quantified in 87 (12.5%) samples (out of a total of 691). However, only 13 samples showed concentrations above the Codex MRL. Mean IVM concentrations (range) were 42.18(0.11–587.15), 31.66(2.96–283.33), 162.61(1.32–516.55), 22.78(1.51–65.40), 15.26(0.07–194.25) and 22.14(1.58–126.76) ppb for bovine meat, bovine fat, bovine liver, bovine kidney, pork meat, and pork fat, respectively. Fortunately, the probability of consuming bovine and porcine tissues with IVM residues above the ADI was nil. However, 1.88% of the samples showed IVM concentrations above the MRL, thus the implementation of residue surveillance programs guaranteeing consumer health isstrongly recommended.