No abstract

The presence in meat products of antibiotic residues is of toxicological risks for the consumer. In order to protect consumers through the safety of meat from reformed and marketed laying hens, a qualitative study was conducted in southern Benin. The study was conducted in twenty laying hen farms in Abomey-Calavi, Ouidah and Porto Novo towns. The survey identified antibiotics used by farmers. In each farm, five reformed chickens ready to be marketed were randomly selected. On each bird, the sternum and right thigh were collected and analyzed by the microbiological method of four plates at the Laboratory. Results showed that farmers use eight families of antibiotics: aminoglycosides, diaminopyridines, macrolides, polypeptides, quinolones second and third generation, sulfonamides and tetracyclines. Residues of tetracyclines and aminoglycosides were found only in Abomey-Calavi town with respective proportions of 25.71 ± 10.14% and 21.41± 9.93% while residues of macrolides were observed in three localities which are Abomey-Calavi, Ouidah and Porto Novo, with respective rates of 65.71 ± 9.92%, 46 ± 15.5% and 20 ± 8.36%. From the above results, we recommend to veterinarians the efficient use of antibiotics and to poultry farmers the respect of withdrawal period.