Investigation of some veterinary drug residues in sea water, sediment, and wild fishes captured around fish farms in the Aegean Sea: Oxytetracyline, ivermectin and emamectin

Abstract

Veterinary drug residues and their metabolites in food are regularly investigated by local authorities; however their fate in the environment is still unknown. Despite the importance of the aquaculture industry and the widespread use of antibiotics; limited scientific information regarding their residue in natural fish, sediment and sea water are available in TURKEY. The current study; which is the first study in this area, was undertaken to determine the oxytetracycline (OTC), ivermectin (IVM) and emamectin benzoate (EMA) residues from samples of wild fishes (Oblada melanura, Mullus barbatus), sea water and sediment collected in four different months, caught around the fish cages near Salihli Island in Bodrum, Aegean Sea. Samples were analyzed by High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) followed by the validation for each matrix. No residues were found to be above the Limit of detection (LOD) levels of the validated methods in the screened samples. In order to understand the possible risk of veterinary antibiotics, especially for low dose accumulation, to the ecosystem for sustainable aquaculture, conduction of more screening analysis with expanded possible matrices would be beneficial.