Screening of antibiotic residues in fresh milk of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

A concerning prevalence of antibiotic residues, particularly amoxicillin and sulfadimethoxine, was detected in fresh milk from Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed that 81% of samples contained amoxicillin (68–802 µg/kg), while 41% tested positive for sulfadimethoxine (31–69 µg/kg). These levels often exceeded maximum residue limits, posing significant risks to consumer health. The study, which analyzed 140 milk samples from various sources, demonstrated that HPLC detected more positives than rapid screening kits due to higher precision and accuracy. This highlights critical gaps in regulatory implementation and monitoring in developing countries.

Khanal, B. K. S., Sadiq, M. B., Singh, M., & Anal, A. K. (2017). Screening of antibiotic residues in fresh milk of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part B, 53(1), 57–86. https://doi.org/10.1080/03601234.2017.1375832