In order to boost meat production in a shorter amount of time, anabolic hormone growth promoters have been utilized extensively in chicken husbandries. However, if administered improperly or for an extended period of time, they may possess a serious risk to the consumers' health. The goal of the present survey was to ascertain whether the ninety randomly selected samples of chicken breast, thigh, and wing (each comprising thirty samples) contained any synthetic hormone growth promoters, specifically 17-estradiol and zeranol residues using ELISA assay. The samples were collected from different selling points of Shebin elkom markets, Monoufiya governorate. Thigh samples had greater residual amounts of 17-estradiol than wing and breast samples, with mean values of 0.58, 0.42, and 0.27 ppb for each, and a total incidence of 8.9%. In the meantime, zeranol was found in 7.8% of the samples that were tested, with mean values of 0.21, 0.09, and 0.07 ppb, respectively. Based on the indicated MRL in the Codex Alimentarius Commission, all of the analyzed samples were deemed fit for human consumption, provided that acceptable animal husbandry methods were followed. Since the use of these hormones in chicken farms seems to be harmful to the general public's health, it is important to routinely monitor food quality by looking for chemical residues. |
