Detection of Oxytetracycline Residues in Honey Samples Using ELISA and HPLC Methods

Background: honey is being used as an ingredient in many foods, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics than ever before, so honey testing has become essential to maintaining its healthful characteristics and protecting public health. this study was designed to investigate the occurrence of oxytetracycline residue in honey samples. a number of 145 honey samples were collected from ardabil provinces (northwest region of iran). elisa and hplc were used to qualify and quantify the contamination of the honey samples with oxytetracycline. the elisa assay showed that out of 145 samples, 34 samples were positive for oxytetracycline residue. elisa analyses demonstrated that the minimum and maximum level of oxytetracycline residue was 5.32 and 369.1ng/g respectively. hplc analyses confirmed the elisa findings, although the level of oxytetracycline which detected in honey samples using hplc method was remarkably (p < 0.05) lower than that of which detected by elisa. considering the relatively high contamination level of foods of animal origin with oxytetracycline and their high levels of consumption, it is likely that consumers experience a high risk of exposure to drug residues, especially through honey bees.