ISONICOTINIC-ACID HYDRAZIDE IN APULIAN MILK

Isonicotinic acid hydrazide (isoniazid) is the most commonly used anti tubercular agent in animal production. The presence of the residue in the serum of treated animals and then in the milk is a serious illegal act. Because the illicit use of isoniazid in dairy cattle can evade i nspection this study was carried out to assess the presence of this ch emiotherapeutic drug in milk produced in Apulia. Isoniazid was found i n 64.7% of the milk samples (68) with concentrations ranging from 3 to 45 ppb. Such high positive results lead us to assume that the drug wa s illegally administered, even during preventive treatment.