ANTIBIOTICS RESIDUES IN RAW MILK IN THAILAND

One thousand eight hundreds and twenty two samples of raw milk were detected for antibiotic residues using Bacillus subtilis ATTCC 6633, B. stearothermophilus var. calidolactis C 593 and Micrococcus luteus ATCC 9341 as test organisms, were carried out from July 1991 through June 1992. Apparent antibiotic residues were found through out the study period, except in January. The detection rate varied from 0.7% in March and May to 11% in April. One hundred and thirty six (72%) samples of the 187 screening positive samples were considered to contain only the indigenous antimicrobial agents. Of the total, 51 (2.8%) samples were positive for antibiotic residues. Among the tested organisms, B. stearothermophilus var. calidolactis was the most sensitive organism in detection of the antibiotic residues.