The Overuse Of Tetracycline Compounds In Chickens And Its Impact On Human Health Saif N. Al-Bahry 1 , Ibrahim Y. Mahmoud 2 , Salma K. Al-Musharafi 3 1 Department of Biology, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman 2 Department of Biological Science and Chemistry, University of Nizwa, Nizwa, Oman 3 Department of Biotechnology, Sur College of Applied Sciences, Sur, Oman Abstract. Antibiotics have been extensively involved in food biotechnology and have been used in animals for prophylaxis and growth promotion. However, its effect on human health and environment remains in question. Chickens samples from intestine, liver and kidney were analyzed using a tandem quadruple mass spectroscopy high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC/MS/MS). Standard solutions of chlorotetracycline (CTC), deoxycycline (DTC), oxytetracycline (OTC) and tetracycline (TC) were used and the signal intensities were compared with tetracyclines in organ samples. In total, tetracycline values were significantly higher in liver followed by intestine and kidney. TC values were significantly higher in liver and kidney over the intestine while DTC values were significantly higher in liver and intestine over the kidney. OTC values were significantly higher in kidney and intestine over the liver while CTC liver values were significantly higher than in the kidney and intestine. Although the values of the four antibiotics were within the average range of the recommended maximum residue limit (MRL), their impact on environment and human health is a public concern if this trend of antibiotic overuse continues. Keywords: Bioengineering, food technology, tetracycline, residue, chickens, organ. 1. Introduction Antibiotics have been used extensively since the 1950s for a better treatment of microbial diseases in humans, and also improve food quality production. Antibiotics have been used in animal health, prophylaxis and growth promotion especially in poultry [1]. The most common used antibiotic at farms is tetracycline. The main organs involved in food uptake and metabolic processes are intestine, liver and kidney. They are used in small dosages which increase protein and decrease fat components [2]. However, the use of antibiotics may also affect the normal flora which resulted in antibiotic resistance [3]. Further spread of resistance to the environment occurs as a result of agricultural runoff and contaminated effluents which would affect the surrounding water [4], [5]. Even though there are advantages in the use of those antibiotics, there is also concern regarding the overuse of antibiotics [6]. Failure of farm management to adhere to a recommended period of withdrawing the drug before marketing the animal causes an escalation of the problem. Regulations must be adhered to control the usage of antibiotics and therefore stopping the emergence of multiple resistant strains. Bedsides the microbial treatment, tetracyclines are used as an anti-inflammatory [7] and tumor growth inhibition, and growth inhibitor [8], [9]. However, tetracycline compounds have been reported to affect growth of teeth and bones in children [3]. Because of several health and environment concerns regarding the use of antibiotics for better food quality and production, the main objectives of this investigation is to assess tetracycline compounds in animal organs (intestine, liver and kidney).  Corresponding author. Tel.: +968-24141401; fax: +968-24413415. E-mail address: snbahry@squ.edu.om. 2013 4th International Conference on Food Engineering and Biotechnology IPCBEE vol.50 (2013) © (2013) IACSIT Press, Singapore DOI: 10.7763/IPCBEE. 2013. V50. 5 21