Publication Type
Journal Article
Publication Date (Issue Year)
2026
Journal Name
Frontiers in Animal Science
Abstract
Antibiotic residues in chicken meat pose a health risk to the general public, particularly to sensitive consumers. The aim of this study was to determine the level of antibiotic residues in on-the-market dressed chicken in the Southern Region of Mozambique. A total of 160 samples were randomly collected from eight markets located in five districts in the provinces of Maputo, Gaza, and Inhambane. The residues of β-lactams, quinolones, tetracyclines, and sulfonamides in chicken breast muscle were separated, identified, and quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), coupled with ultraviolet light (UV–VIS). Results revealed that 26.9% of the analyzed samples displayed detectable antibiotic residues, with 14.4% classified as mono-contaminated and 12.5% as poly-contaminated. Oxytetracycline prevailed (19.4%) and had the highest concentration (84–636 µg/kg), followed by trimethoprim (9.4%) and sulfamethoxazole (7.5%). Although the majority of samples adhered to the criteria established by Codex and EU, 100% of positive sample, exceeded the maximum residue limits for trimethoprim, with an average contamination level of 197 µg/kg. The presence of antibiotics in chicken breast meat at levels above maximum residue limits represents a risk to public health, reflecting even higher concentrations in risky parts like gizzard and liver, which are delicacies in Mozambique. This study suggests the implementation of a rigorous monitoring system across the chicken value chain (including farms, transportation, and slaughter facilities) to prevent the indiscriminate use of antibiotics in chickens.
Keywords
Occurrence, multiple veterinary antibiotics, broiler chicken, Southern Mozambique
Rsif Scholar Name
Noemia Andre Mugabe
Thematic Area
Food security and Agribusiness
Africa Host University (AHU)
Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Tanzania
Funding Statement
The author(s) declared that financial support was received for this work and/or its publication. This study was funded by the Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF) of the Partnership for Skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET) (Project Grant No. P165581) grant to SACIDS Africa Centre of Excellence for Infectious Diseases of Humans and Animals in Southern and East Africa (SACIDS-ACE) at the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA). XYZ is a recipient of an RSIF-PASET doctoral scholarship at SUA.
Recommended Citation
Mugabe, N. A., Kussaga, J., & Issa-Zacharia, A. (2026). Occurrence and levels of multiple veterinary antibiotics in broiler chicken processed and sold in Southern Mozambique. Frontiers in Animal Science, 7 https://doi.org/10.3389/fanim.2026.1746534