Exposure of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) to the antibiotic florfenicol in water: determination of the bioconcentration factor and the withdrawal period

• Published in: Environmental science and pollution research international 2021-08, Vol.28 (29), p.39026-39034
• Main Authors: Shiroma, Letícia Sayuri, Bottoli, Carla Beatriz Grespan, Jonsson, Claudio Martin, Queiroz, Sonia C. N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accumulation; Antibiotics; Aquaculture; Aquatic Pollution; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Bioaccumulation; Biological magnification; Depuration; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Environmental science; Exposure; Fish; Fish farms; Florfenicol; Muscles; Nutritive value; Oreochromis niloticus; Ponds; Research Article; Tilapia; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution Control
• ISSN: 0944-1344; 1614-7499
• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-13327-5

The demand for healthier foods with high nutritional value has resulted in intensive fish farming. In this production system, high-frequency infections occur, and antibiotics are administrated for control. Only two antibiotics are allowed for use in Brazilian aquaculture, one of which is florfenicol. In this work, a bioconcentration assay was performed to assess the accumulation of florfenicol in the muscle of Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus ). Tilapia was evaluated as it is the most produced fish species in Brazil. The fish were exposed to florfenicol at a nominal concentration of 10 mg/L, through the water. Muscle and water were collected at 0, 1.5, 3, 6, 24, and 48 h during the exposure phase and at 1.5, 3, 6, 24, 48, and 120 h during the depuration phase. Quantification was performed using an LC-MS/MS. The results showed rapid absorption and elimination of the antibiotic (half-life, t 1/2 = 5 h), with low potential for accumulation of florfenicol in tilapia muscles. The study was performed to determine the bioconcentration factor (BCF) and withdrawal period of florfenicol, being 0.05 mL/μg and 1.8 h, respectively. The results contribute to set protocols for the safe use of florfenicol in tilapia transport, avoiding residues in fish that may pose risks to human health.