Veterinary antibiotics in animal manure and manure laden soil: Scenario and challenges in Asian countries

The incidence of antibiotics in various environmental matrices is a major matter as the occurrence is linked to the emergence and prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Country such as China holds the largest allotment of antibiotics utilization in food animal. Whereas, Asian countries such as Myanmar, Indonesia, and Vietnam are projected to obtain the most considerable percentage increment in antibiotics consumption. Decades old agricultural practise (animal manure fertilization), aquaculture, wastewater (untreated), sewage sludge are major routes that allowed antibiotics to enter and persist in environment. Most of the veterinary antibiotics are water soluble and are not fully absorbed by animals. High percentage of the veterinary antibiotics is excreted by animals in their wastes (manure and urine). Many studies have reported detection of antibiotics in various matrices including soil and are discussed in this paper, with special highlights on manure and manure laden soil in Asian countries. Increased adsorption of antibiotics in soil unswervingly raises the potential of antibiotics being taken up by crop. This review also revealed the current state of regulations in certain countries on antibiotics sales and consumption, which is important as an effort in mitigating the spread of antibiotics occurrence as well as the dissemination of ARGs in the environment. Keywords: Veterinary antibiotic, Soil, Manure, Fertilizer, Pollutant, Regulation