Investigation of the Antibiotic Residue Levels in Honey produced in Ardahan Province

Owing to special properties and being a healthy food, honey is an animal originated product, preferred by consumers. Diseases such as American foulbrood (AFB) and European foulbrood (EFB) seen in honeybees lead to serious economical losses. The use of antibacterial agents against these diseases results in residual problems in honey and honey products. Possible antibiotic residues cause serious problems, such as antibiotic resistance and allergic reactions in people who are the ultimate consumers. Therefore, the use of antibiotics in honeybee keeping has been forbidden in the EU countries and in our country. In this study, 180 honey samples obtained from Ardahan and its towns were analysed for the antibiotic residues (sulphonamides and streptomycin). Residual analyses of samples obtained directly from the procuders were carried out by using ELISA commercial test kits (Ridascreen). Variance analysis method was applied for statistical comparisons and the differences between groups were determined by Duncan test. According to the results, 37 and 52% of the samples contained residues for streptomycin and sulfonamides, respectively. Maximum residue levels for streptomycin (mean 5.57 ppm) were measured in samples taken from Posof and for sulfonamide (mean 2.79 ppm) in samples taken from Çıldır. As a result, beekeepers should be educated about the use of antibiotics and the inspections determining the antibiotic residue should be made more often.