Health risks associated with sulfonamide and quinolone residues in cultured Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) in China

The occurrence of 27 antibiotics (18 sulfonamides and 9 quinolones) in 92 samples of cultured Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) from three provinces (Anhui, Jiangsu and Liaoning) was investigated. These 21 antibiotics were detected at least once in crabs from these provinces with detection frequencies of 3.70-90.91%. Sulfonamides were detected in 53.7% of the samples at concentrations of 0.1?10 ?g/kg in Jiangsu, while quinolones were detected with 90.9% of samples containing concentrations of 1?100 ?g/kg in Liaoning province. Enroflxacin, ciprofloxacin, sulfaquinoxaline, sulfameter, sulfadoxine, and sulfamethoxazole were the mainly used antibiotics and enroflxacin were present at a high concentration (>100 ?g/kg). Dietary assessments showed that residual antibiotics in crabs from China were far below the maximum residue limit (MRL) of total sulfonamides and quinolones, and there was almost no risk associated with crab consumption. These results will provide meaningful indications for the safety of crab consumption.