Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Status of antibiotic residues in milk and dairy products of Iran: a systematic review and meta-analysis

  • Review article
  • Published:
Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Today, antibiotics are widely used for treatment and feed additives to enhance livestock growth. Antibiotic residues may be found in food of animal origin for various reasons, including ignoring the withdrawal period after treatment, overuse for animals, and contamination of feed with treated animals in animal products. Among animal products, dairy products have a special place in the human diet, and antibiotic residues in them have caused a great deal of concern among consumers.

Objective

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate and compare studies conducted in Iran on antibiotic residues in dairy products during 2000–2022.

Methods

In this review, 52 eligible studies were collected by searching the Scientific Information Database (SID), Magiran, Google Scholar, Science-Direct, Scopus, and PubMed using the English or Persian keywords such as an antibiotic or antimicrobial residue, Beta-lactam residue, Tetracycline residue, Sulfonamide residue, Chloramphenicol residue, Aminoglycosides residue, Macrolide residue, Quinolones residue, Milk, Raw milk, Pasteurized milk, UHT milk, Powder milk, Cheese, Yogurt, Butter, Cream, Doogh, Kashk, Ice cream, and Iran.

Results

According to the reviewed studies, the total prevalence of antibiotic residues in dairy products was 29% (95% CI: 15–43%). Among the seven evaluated antibiotic groups, most studies have been conducted on tetracycline, beta-lactam, and sulfonamide groups, with 16, 10, and 7 respectively, and the highest level of contamination with 663 ± 1540 μg/l is related to tetracycline. Most studies on antibiotic dairy product residues in Iran with 12, 11, and 8 studies are associated with East Azarbaijan province, then Tehran and Khorasan Razavi respectively, and no study has been conducted in 11 provinces of the country. According to the studies, Gilan, Qazvin and Razavi Khorasan provinces had the highest amount of antibiotic residue in milk with an average value of 56.415 ± 33.354, 45.955 ± 4.179 and 45.928 ± 33.027, respectively. Most of the methods used in the studies to measure antibiotic residues in milk were the Copan test kit and the HPLC method, which were used in 19 and 14 studies, respectively.

Conclusions

Studies have shown that the prevalence of antibiotic residue in dairy products in Iran is high, so applying an effective strategy and developing the necessary standards in this field to control milk quality is a public health necessity. The findings of this study show that further evaluation of fermented dairy products, especially non-fermented ones such as butter and cream, is needed to prevent adverse health reactions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Mottaghiyanpour E, Aminzare M, Banikhademi S, Hassanzad Azar H. Direct screening of antibiotic residues in pasteurized, sterilized and raw milk supplied in Zanjan market, Iran. Stud Univ “Vasile Goldiş” Ser Ştiin Vieţii. 2018;28(1):22–8.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Yazdanpanah H, Mahboubi A, Eslamizad S, Karimi Z, Rashidi E, Salamzadeh J. Validation of a multiclass method for the screening of 15 antibiotic residues in milk using biochip multi-array technology and its application to monitor real samples. Iran J Pharm Res. 2021;20(3):243.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Bonyadian M, Mahmoodi KF. Comparison of yogurt test with commercial kit for detection of antibiotic residues in raw and pasteurized milk. Iran J Vet Med. 2020;14(4):394–401.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Bahramian B, Sani MA, Parsa-Kondelaji M, Hosseini H, Khaledian Y, Rezaie M. Antibiotic residues in raw and pasteurized milk in Iran: A systematic review and meta-analysis. AIMS Agriculture and Food. 2022;7(3):500–19.

  5. Rasi H, AfsharMogaddam M, Khandaghi J. Application of a new extraction method coupled to high performance liquid chromatography for tetracyclines monitoring in cow milk. J Food Sci Technol (Iran). 2021;18(113):339–49.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Nemati Niko Z, Jahed Khaniki G, Alikord M, MolaeeAghaee E. ELISA and Copan based evaluation and analysis of antibiotic residues in cattle milk in Qazvin, Iran. Infect Epidemiol Microbiol. 2020;6(3):219–27.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Mahmoudi R, Amini K, Vahabzadeh M, Mir H, Vaghef R. Antibiotic residues in raw and pasteurized milk, Iran. J Res Health. 2014;4(4):884–9.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Rassouli A, et al. A trace analysis of oxytetracycline and tetracycline residues in pasteurized milk supplied in Tehran: a one year study (April 2011-March 2012). Iranian Journal of Veterinary Medicine. 2014;8(2):119–23.

  9. Mollaei A, Hamidian Shirazi M, Hamidian Shirazi AR. Comparative evaluation of antibiotic residues in raw milk samples by ECLIPS 50 and TWINE SENSOR kits in Sepidan and Beyza, Iran. J Health Sci Surveill Syst. 2018;6(2):105–9.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Hajmohammadi M, Valizadeh R, Ebdalabadi MN, Naserian A, Oliveira CAFd. Seasonal variations in some quality parameters of milk produced in Khorasan Razavi Province, Iran. Food Sci Technol. 2021;41:718–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Noori N, Karim G, Raeesian M, Khaneghahi Abyaneh H, Bahonar A, Akhondzadeh Basti A, et al. Antibiotic residues and aflatoxin M1 contamination in milk powder used in Tehran dairy factories, Iran. Iran J Vet Med. 2013;7(3):221–6.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Mansouri-najand L, Sharifi H, Rezaii Z. Quality of raw milk in Kerman province. Iranian Journal of Veterinary Medicine. 2013;7(4):293–97.

  13. Mokhtari A, Hosseini B, Panahi P. β-Lactams and tetracyclines antibiotic residue detection in bulk tank milk in Iran. Iran J Public Health. 2013;42(4):447–8.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Ghanavi Z, Mollayi S, Eslami Z. Comparison between the amount of penicillin G residue in raw and pasteurized milk in Iran. Jundishapur J Microbiol. 2013;6(7).e12724.

  15. Movassagh MH. Detection of beta lactam antibiotics residues in Iranian ultra high temperature milk by Beta star test. Annals Bio Res. 2011;2:95–8.

  16. Movassagh MH, Karami AR. Beta-lactam antibiotics residues in pasteurised milk by Beta star test in the north west region of Iran. ARPN J Agri Biol Sci. 2011;6:7–10.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Movassagh M, Karami A. Determination of Beta lactam antibiotics residues in cow raw milk by Beta star test. Glob Vet. 2011;6(4):360–8.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Karami-Osboo R, Miri R, Javidnia K, Kobarfard F. Simultaneous chloramphenicol and florfenicol determination by a validated DLLME-HPLC-UV method in pasteurized milk. Iran J Pharm Res. 2016;15(3):361.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Mahmoudi R, Norian R, Gajabeygi P. Survey of antibiotic residues in raw milk samples in Qazvin (2012). J Inflamm Dis. 2014;18(1):45–52.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Khatami A, Movassagh MH. Determination of tylosin, gentamicin, and neomycin residues in distributed milk and ice-cream in Tehran by HPLC method in 2019. Food Hyg. 2022;12(45):9–61 ([Persian]).

    Google Scholar 

  21. Esfandiari Z, Badiey M, Mahmoodian P, Sarhangpour R, Yazdani E, Mirlohi M. Simultaneous determination of sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate and natamycin content in Iranian yoghurt drink (Doogh) and the associated risk of their intake through Doogh consumption. Iran J Public Health. 2013;42(8):915.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Asadi A, Rahimi E, Shakeriyan A. Determination of sulfonamide antibiotic residues in milk, meat, and egg using ELISA method. Navid No. 2017;20(63):1–8.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Sani AM, Khezri M, Malekinejad S. Detection of tetracycline residues and sulfonamides in raw milk of Mashhad city by competitive ELISA method. J Food Sci Technol. 2015;7:77–83 ([Persian]).

    Google Scholar 

  24. Karamibonari AR, Ghorbiani M. Occurrence of sulfonamides residues in ultra, heat-treatment milk marketed in Tabriz, Iran. 2013;21:922750.

  25. Movassagh M, Karamibonari A. Determination of neomycin residues in pasteurized milks produced in some dairy processing establishments in East-Azarbaijan Province, Iran. Food Hyg. 2014;4(3 (15)):43–9.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Fallah RA, Mohsenzade M, Assadpur H. Determination of gentamicin residues in the raw milk delivered to Mashhad pasteurization plant and in the pasteurized milk obtained from the same raw milk. 2006;183–88.

  27. Bahmani K, Shahbazi Y, Nikousefat Z. Monitoring and risk assessment of tetracycline residues in foods of animal origin. Food Sci Biotechnol. 2020;29(3):441–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Rahimabadi E, Asadpour Y, Sayeban P. Survey on the tetracycline and oxytetracycline residues from milk collecting centers of Guilan by HPLC method. 2016;12(1):118–123.

  29. Aalipour F, Mirlohi M, Jalali M, Azadbakht L. Dietary exposure to tetracycline residues through milk consumption in Iran. J Environ Health Sci Eng. 2015;13(1):1–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Moghaddam AD, Tayebi L, Falahatpisheh H, Mahmoudian M, Kowsari N, Akbarein H, et al. Evaluation of the tetracycline residues in pasteurized milks distributed in Tehran by HPLC method. Ann Military Health Sci Res. 2013;11(4):e64653.

  31. Movassagh M, Karamibonari A. Tetracycline residues in raw, pasteurized and UHT milk in Iran. Online J Vet Res. 2013;17(10):535–9.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Abbasi MM, Babaei H, Ansarin M, Nemati M. Simultaneous determination of tetracyclines residues in bovine milk samples by solid phase extraction and HPLC-FL method. Adv Pharm Bull. 2011;1(1):34.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Khosrokhavar R, Hosseini M-J, Shoeibi S, Jannat B. Detection of oxytetracycline residuein infant formulaby high-performance liquid chromatography) HPLC. Iran J Pharm Res. 2011;10(2):221.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Rassouli A, Abdolmaleki Z, Bokaee S, Kamkar A, Shams G. A cross sectional study on oxytetracycline and tetracycline residues in pasteurized milk supplied in Tehran by an HPLC method. Int J Vet Res. 2010;4(1):1–3.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Khosrokhavar R, Hosseini M-J, Amini M, Pirali-Hamedani M, Ghazi-Khansari M, Bakhtiarian A. Validation of an analytical methodology for determination of oxytetracycline residue in milk by HPLC with UV detection. Toxicol Mech Methods. 2008;18(4):351–4.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Sarkis-Onofre R, Catalá-López F, Aromataris E, Lockwood C. How to properly use the PRISMA statement. Syst Rev. 2021;10(1):1–3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Manafi M, Hesari J, Rafat SA. Monitoring of antibiotic residue in raw and pasteurised milk in East Azerbaijan of Iran by delvotest method. 2010;125–31.

  38. Mohammadzadeh M, Montaseri M, Hosseinzadeh S, Majlesi M, Berizi E, Zare M, et al. Antibiotic residues in poultry tissues in Iran: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Environ Res. 2022;204: 112038.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Jayalakshmi K, Paramasivam M, Sasikala M, Tamilam T, Sumithra A. Review on antibiotic residues in animal products and its impact on environments and human health. J Entomol Zool Stud. 2017;5(3):1446–51.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Botsoglou NA, Fletouris DJ. Drug residues in foods. Marcel Dekker; 2000.

  41. Moudgil P, Bedi JS, Aulakh RS, Gill JPS, Kumar A. Validation of HPLC multi-residue method for determination of fluoroquinolones, tetracycline, sulphonamides and chloramphenicol residues in bovine milk. Food Anal Methods. 2019;12(2):338–46.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Le Breton M-H, Savoy-Perroud M-C, Diserens J-M. Validation and comparison of the Copan milk test and delvotest SP-NT for the detection of antimicrobials in milk. Anal Chim Acta. 2007;586(1–2):280–3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Kermani M, Asadzadeh S, Rajabizadeh A, Nikoozadeh H, Firouzeh N, Hashemi M. The aflatoxin M1 level and antibiotic residues in raw milk supplied across the city of Bojnurd in 2016. Health Dev J. 2019;8(1):72–82.

  44. Fard R, Dallal M, Moradi RZ, Rajabi Z. Molecular pathotyping of escherichia coli isolates and detection of residual antibiotics in raw cow milk in Iran. Alex J Vet Sci. 2019;60(1):79–85.

  45. Akbari Kishi S, Asmar M, Mirpur MS. The study of antibiotic residues in raw and pasteurized milk in Gilan province. Iran J Med Microbiol. 2017;11(3):71–7.

    Google Scholar 

  46. Moghadam MM, Amiri M, Riabi HRA, Riabi HRA. Evaluation of antibiotic residues in pasteurized and raw milk distributed in the South of Khorasan-e Razavi Province, Iran. J Clin Diagn Res. 2016;10(12):FC31.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Forouzan S, Rahimirad A, Seyedkhoei R, Asadzadeh J, Bahmani M. Determination of antibiotic residues in the pasteurized milk produced in. J Coast Life Med. 2014;2(4):297–301.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Mahmoudi R, Asadpour R, Alamoti M, Golchin A, Kiyani R, Pour RM, et al. Raw cow milk quality: relationship between antibiotic residue and somatic cell count. Int Food Res J. 2013;20(6).3347–3350

  49. Movassagh MH. Detection of antibiotics residues in cow raw milk in Bostanabad Region, Iran. Res Opin Anim Vet Sci. 2012;2(1):1–3.

  50. Movasagh M. Detection of antibiotic residues in raw cow’s milk in Eilikhchi (Southwest of Tabriz). J Food Technol Nutr Iran. 2012;9(3):214–21.

    Google Scholar 

  51. Moosavi T, Salehi M, Sadegh M, Mohammadyar L. Investigation of some additive residues in bulk raw milk collected from Pakdasht area in 2009. Food Hyg. 2011;1(1):43–7.

    Google Scholar 

  52. Movassagh M. Detection of antibiotic residues in the water buffalo milk in Meshkinshahr, Ardabil Province, Iran. Glob Vet. 2011;7(2):199–200.

    Google Scholar 

  53. Movassagh MH, Karami AR. Determination of antibiotic residues in bovine milk in Tabriz, Iran. Glob Vet. 2010;5(3):195–7.

    Google Scholar 

  54. Habibi N. Study of antibiotics residual in raw milk in Sanandaj. J Sanandaj Univ Med Sci 2010; 4(11):57–62.

  55. Sani AM, Nikpooyan H, Moshiri R. Aflatoxin M1 contamination and antibiotic residue in milk in Khorasan province, Iran. Food Chem Toxicol. 2010;48(8–9):2130–2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Bahreinipour A, Mohsenzadeh M. Identification of antimicrobial residual compounds in raw and pasteurized milk by Yoghurt Culture Test. Sci-Res Iran Vat J. 2009;3(24):5–11.

  57. Zarangush Z, Mahdavi S. Determination of antibiotic residues in pasteurized and raw milk in Maragheh and Bonab counties by Four Plate Test (FPT) method. J Ilam Univ Med Sci. 2016;24(5):48–54.

    Google Scholar 

  58. Alimohammadi M, Askari SG, Azghadi NM, Taghavimanesh V, Mohammadimoghadam T, Bidkhori M, et al. Antibiotic residues in the raw and pasteurized milk produced in Northeastern Iran examined by the four-plate test (FPT) method. Int J Food Prop. 2020;23(1):1248–55.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Yarabbi H, Mortazavi S, Shafafi ZM. Prediction of antibiotics residues in raw milk by using binary logistic regression model. Int J Adv Biol Biomed Res. 2016;2(42):287–96.

    Google Scholar 

  60. Aalipour F, Mirlohi M, Jalali M. Prevalence of antibiotic residues in commercial milk and its variation by season and thermal processing methods. Int J Environ Health Eng. 2013;2(1):41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medical Toxicology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Fatemeh Fatemi & Mohammad Hashemi

  2. Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Fatemeh Fatemi & Mohammad Hashemi

  3. Division of Food Safety and Hygiene, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Mahmood Alizadeh Sani

  4. Toxicology Research Center, Medical Basic Sciences Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

    Seyyed Mohammad Ali Noori

  5. Department of Nutrition, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

    Seyyed Mohammad Ali Noori

Authors
  1. Fatemeh Fatemi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mahmood Alizadeh Sani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Seyyed Mohammad Ali Noori
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Mohammad Hashemi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mohammad Hashemi.

Ethics declarations

Conflicts of interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Fatemi, F., Alizadeh Sani, M., Noori, S.M.A. et al. Status of antibiotic residues in milk and dairy products of Iran: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Environ Health Sci Engineer (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40201-023-00889-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40201-023-00889-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation