Analytical Detection of Sulfonamides and Organophosphorus Insecticide Residues in Fish in Taiwan

Abstract

Exposure to residues of antibiotics (e.g., sulfonamides) and insecticides (e.g., organophosphorus insecticides) in aquacultured food can adversely affect humans and animals and thus affect public health globally. Here, using a validated method, we examined the levels of residues of 12 sulfonamides as well as 18 organophosphorus insecticides in aquacultured fish in Taiwan. A total of 52 fish samples (i.e., 20 tilapia, 16 milk fish, and 16 perch samples) were obtained from Taiwanese aquafarms from June 2018 to October 2019. We detected 0.02 and 0.03 mg/kg of sulfamethazine (a sulfonamide) in one tilapia and one milk fish, respectively, and 0.02, 0.05, and 0.03 mg/kg of chlorpyrifos (an organophosphorus insecticide) in one tilapia, one milk fish, and one perch, respectively; thus, among the samples, 3.85% and 5.77% contained sulfonamides and organophosphorus insecticide residues, respectively. Furthermore, we assessed human health risk based on the estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of these residues: EDIs of sulfonamide and organophosphorus insecticide residues were <1.0% of the acceptable daily intake recommended by the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations/World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives. The risk of exposure to sulfonamide and organophosphorus insecticide residue by consuming aquacultured fish in Taiwan was thus negligible, signifying no immediate health risk related to the consumption of fish. Our findings can constitute a reference in efforts geared toward ensuring food safety and monitoring veterinary drug and insecticide residue levels in aquacultured organisms. Residue levels in fish must be continually monitored to further determine possible effects of these residues on human health.

Quinolone and Organophosphorus Insecticide Residues in Bivalves and Their Associated Risks in Taiwan

“…In Taiwan, aquaculture has been developing for more than 300 years. From 1960 to the 1990s, its unique characteristics led to it becoming a rapidly intensified, diversified, and technologically intensive industry [1,2]. From 1990 to 2000, Taiwan's aquaculture industry underwent a transition, and saltwater aquaculture was substituted for freshwater aquaculture [3].…”

“…Moreover, the addition of antibiotics into animal feed results in feed conversion rates and improved growth in food-producing animals. The feeding model revealed that antibiotics are supplemented into animal food in the aquaculture industry [2,12]. Highly extensive and large-scale culture habitually cultures by Taiwan's aquaculture farmers because the inner land is limited to use.…”

“…In addition, the use of pesticides in marine farming is common practice to treat parasite infection; in particular, the aquaculture in subtropical locations and the temperate climate of Taiwan is susceptible to parasitic diseases. However, organophosphorus insecticides are banned for treating ectoparasitic or endoparasitic infection in aquatic animals [2,9]. Due to their bioaccumulation and detrimental effects on aquatic animals and humans, these chemical residues in aquatic products are essential to elucidate the level of their contamination in aquatic foods.…”

“…Due to their bioaccumulation and detrimental effects on aquatic animals and humans, these chemical residues in aquatic products are essential to elucidate the level of their contamination in aquatic foods. In the last five years, investigations and studies on the levels of sulfonamides, chloramphenicol, malachite green, leucomalachite green, nitrofuran metabolites, quinolone, herbicides, organophosphorus insecticides residues have increased in aquatic animals on consumers in Taiwan [1][2][3]9,10].…”

“…Because veterinary drugs and organophosphorus pesticide residues in seafood are an important public health concern, they are considered with care by the illegal/banned chemicals administration. Otherwise, the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) has not yet established the maximum residue limits (MRLs) for quinolones or organophosphorus insecticides in bivalves [2,9,12]. Moreover, limited reports of their residual studies did include freshwater aquaculture bivalves, especially the hard clams and freshwater clams.…”