[SANET-MG] antibiotic uptake into crops from manure

[jcummins <jcummins@UWO.CA>]

Published online 12 October 2005
Published in J Environ Qual 34:2082-2085 (2005)
DOI: 10.2134/jeq2005.0026

I rather believe that compost would not carry over the antibiotics but 
certainly that needs a good study.
Short Communications
Antibiotic Uptake by Plants from Soil Fertilized with Animal Manure
K. Kumara,*, S. C. Guptaa, S. K. Baidoob, Y. Chandera and C. J. Rosena
a Department of Soil, Water, and Climate, University of Minnesota, St. 
Paul, MN 55108
b Department of Animal Science and Southern Research and Outreach 
Center, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108

* Corresponding author (kkumar@umn.edu)

Received for publication January 24, 2005. Antibiotics are commonly 
added to animal feed as supplements to promote growth of food animals. 
However, absorption of antibiotics in the animal gut is not complete and 
as a result substantial amounts of antibiotics are excreted in urine and 
feces that end up in manure. Manure is used worldwide not only as a 
source of plant nutrients but also as a source of organic matter to 
improve soil quality especially in organic and sustainable agriculture. 
Greenhouse studies were conducted to determine whether or not plants 
grown in manure-applied soil absorb antibiotics present in manure. The 
test crops were corn (Zea mays L.), green onion (Allium cepa L.), and 
cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. Capitata group). All three crops absorbed 
chlortetracycline but not tylosin. The concentrations of 
chlortetracycline in plant tissues were small (2–17 ng g–1 fresh 
weight), but these concentrations increased with increasing amount of 
antibiotics present in the manure. This study points out the potential 
human health risks associated with consumption of fresh vegetables grown 
in soil amended with antibiotic laden manures. The risks may be higher 
for people who are allergic to antibiotics and there is also the 
possibility of enhanced antimicrobial resistance as a result of human 
consumption of these vegetables.

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