ABSTRACT

Aquaculture is said to remain one of the fastest-growing animal food-producing sectors and with the increase in the world population, there is a need for constant fish production to curtail malnutrition. Thus, antibiotics has been readily used in aquaculture to reduce fish loss and to ensure food conversion efficiency. However, the abuse of antibiotics has resulted in the accumulation of antibiotics in farmed fish in ponds. This study was therefore carried out to assess the levels of tetracycline residues in catfish ponds from selected ponds in Edo-south, Edo state, Nigeria with a view to assess the human health risk associated with residual levels in fish. Qualitative assessment was also carried out to determine the farmers perception of the use and risk associated with the use of antibiotics. Forthe qualitative assessment, twenty catfish farmers were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaire on the pattern of antibiotic usage, knowledge of occurrence and risks of antimicrobial residues in catfish produced for public consumption. Adult fishsamples of Clarias gariepinus were obtained from three ponds in Edo-south for screening for tetracycline residues using QuEChERS extraction method while tetracycline residue was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results showed that majority (88%) of the respondents administered antibiotics, with only about 29% obtaining the antibiotics from a veterinary medicine store and all not observing withdrawal period. Results of tetracycline residues (mg/kg) in the fish samples showed that the mean values were +0 mg/kg for both pond I and 2 and1.832 ± 0.01 mg/kg in pond 3. The mean tetracycline value was observed to be higher than the maximum residual limit of 0.2 mg/kg. However, result of the human health risk assessment showed low risk from consumption of the fish species from these pond as HQ value was less than 1. In conclusion, more awareness through public enlightenment should be made to educate farmer on the use of antibiotics, and farmers should also be advised to use withdrawal periods.