Study of enrofloxacin residue in eggs using high performance liquid chromatography

Enrofloxacin is an important antibiotic in poultry industry in Iran. Also، antibiotic residue is a serious health problem in this industry. This study was conducted to determine whether the doses of enrofloxacin would produce drug residue transfer into eggs when administer to laying hens. Forty hens were assigned to equal groups (n = 10). 2، 5 and 10 mg/kg of enrofloxacin was injected to 1، 2 and 3 hens groups، respectively. All of groups were seven days under treatment. Then، eggs were collected at 1 to 7 days of treatment and 3، 6 and 9 days after last injection. Then، enrofloxacin residue was determined using high performance liquid chromatography. The results of this study showed that increment of administered dose of enrofloxacin caused to increase drug residue in eggs. Furthermore، maximum drug residue was observed at seventh day of injections. In addition، drug residue was decreased to zero at ninth day after last injections. On the other hand، enrofloxacin residue concentration was detectable in group two hens at third day after last injections and in group three hens at third and sixth day after last injections. In conclusion، for minimum detection of enrofloxacin residue concentration in eggs must be increased the time between last injection of drug and eggs collecting.