Assessment of Heavy Metal Load in Meat Parts From Nigerian Market and the Health Implication on Humans
Bello, Samuel I. Adeseye1 Bambur, A. Adams2 and Daiko Comfort3
1Department of Pure Science, Taraba State Polytechnic, Suntai
2Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Taraba State Polytechnic, Suntai
3Department of Basic Science, College of Agriculture, Jalingo
E-mail: s.adeseye@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
There has been increased awareness of the effect of some toxic trace metals in the environment and their adverse effect on human health. This has led to more research with respect to determination of trace metals levels in food, water and the environment. The present research work measured the concentration of seven trace metals arsenic (As), Nickel (Ni), Zinc(Zn), Chromium(Cr), Lead(Pb), Cadmium(Cd), and Iron(Fe). In beef, goat and chicken from Ile-Ife (west) and Nsukka (east).The meat samples were analysed, using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS), with air- acetylene flame. Results obtained showed that all the trace metals were detectable in the samples at varying levels the highest concentrations in mg/kg of Chromium (2.26), lead (42.74), iron (146.75),zinc (3.03), manganese(22.34),and cadmium (5.80) were found in goat. While chicken had the highest values of arsenic15.44, nickel2.10, and mercury 13.15. Beef had the lowest concentrations of these trace metals. When the values of trace metals obtained in this study were compared with values reported for meat samples from other countries, the levels of lead were higher in Nigerian meats of Pakistani origin.