Degradation of Oxytetracycline in Sugar Syrup and Honey Stored by Honeybee Colonies

Abstract
Degradation of two concentrations of Oxytetracycline hydrochloride (OTC) in medicated syrup and honey in store in colonies of honeybees (Apis mellifera) was followed using a spectrofluorometric technique. The rate of degradation was similar in syrup and honey, and most of the OTC had gone 6–9 weeks after the end of feeding medicated solutions. However, a small residual fluorescence appeared to persist indefinitely; it was presumed to be due to a product of the degradation and might be useful as an indicator of previous medication with OTC.