Chloramphenicol and sulfonamide residues in sea bream (Sparus aurata) and sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) fish from aquaculture farm

There are many worries about the food safety of seafood contaminated with antibiotic residues. These residues can be potentially dangerous for public health owing to the causation of allergic reactions, toxic effects, and serious health problems. This study was planned to search the occurrence of chloramphenicol (CAP) and sulfonamide residue in sea bream and sea bass. A total of 82 fish samples were collected from 14 different sales points in Afyonkarahisar. The samples were analyzed for CAP and sulfonamide residues using the ELISA method. Results showed that up to 18.3% of the samples were contaminated with CAP. In the positive fish meat samples, the CAP residue concentrations ranged within 0.54–10.6 ng kg−1. The mean CAP residue concentration in positive samples was 4.25 ± 2.78 ng kg−1. No sulfonamide residue was detected from the samples. Despite the prohibition of CAP application in aquaculture, detectable CAP residues in fish meat samples indicate an illegal use of this antibiotic. Therefore, the results obtained in the study are negative signs for food safety. Official controls must be performed rigorously in accordance with the national residue monitoring plan especially for the illegal antibiotics.