Incidence of tylosin residue in beef consumed in Dokolo district.

Abstract

The main objective of the study was to assess the concentration of tylosin residue in beef consumed in Dokolo district located in the Northern part of Uganda. The study employed a quantitative approach where laboratory method was used and the concentration of tylosin was determined using HPLC machine. A total of30 fresh beef (muscle) samples were purposively collected from the abattoir, slaughter slabs, and butcheries found in the district. The samples were taken to Wandegeya Analytical Laboratory for analysis. The concentrations were determined and then compared with the MRL as per the FAO/WHO Limits (0.1 parts per million). Results showed that tylosin was detected in all the samples submitted and the mean concentration was found to be 0.413±0.37 ppm which was above WHO/FAO Limits. The one sample t- test conducted also showed that there is a significant difference between the actual mean and the hypothesized mean. This is because p- value (0.0001) is less than the level of significance (0.05). The high levels of the drug residues could have been due to its heavy use Or failure to follow manufacturer’s instructions. In conclusion, the study has shown that the poisonous drug residues (Tylosin) was present in beef consumed in Dokolo district. This finding demonstrate that there is a possibility of public health risk on the general public who consume beef from this research area. Therefore, there is need to reduce the concentration to levels that are not of public health concern. This can be through practical strategies such as; continuous sensitization of the public about drug use specifically tylosin. Comprehensive assessment of drug residues in all livestock products should also be done, this is to generate data for guiding policy makers. Other scientists can also research on the concentration of this drug in other organs apart from muscle and also in other animal species.