Veterinary drug residues in the conventional and antibiotic-free chicken meat production chain

• Grant number: 24/17442-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: November 01, 2024
• End date: October 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Products of Animal Origin Inspection
• Principal Investigator: Juliano Gonçalves Pereira
• Grantee: Gabriella Rodrigues Cazolda
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/03062-6 - Epidemiological characterization of the conventional and antibiotic-free poultry production in antibiotic resistance perspective using a One Health approach, AP.PNGP.PI

Abstract

Animal production has occupied a prominent position in the Brazilian economy, with emphasis on chicken meat production. To meet high production rates, the use of antibiotics as growth promoters is an intensive tool. Despite bringing some benefits, the use of antibiotics for this purpose can induce bacteria to become resistant or generate residues, if the withdrawal period is not met. Chemical residues in foods such as chicken meat can be a risk to public health, since some drugs that are used in animals cannot be used in humans due to their toxicity. To reduce the possibility of chemical contamination, alternatives such as antibiotic-free food production have been adopted in Brazil and worldwide. Thus, the objective of this study is to analyze and identify the presence of veterinary drug residues throughout the conventional and antibiotic-free production of chicken meat. Samples will be collected from farms that produce birds in conventional (with antibiotics) and antibiotic-free systems. The samples will be subjected to research for veterinary drug residues using the Liquid Chromatography associated with Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) technique. The implementation of this research project will allow obtaining results relevant to public health, allowing the characterization of the role of conventional and antibiotic-free production chains in the presence of chemical residues in food. This topic is considered one of the current global challenges for public health, and the importance of foods of animal origin in this scenario is undeniable.