Estimation of some heavy metal residues in beef and poultry meat in Elgiza province

ABSTRACT

A total of 120 random samples of beef and poultry samples [60 of each]. The beef samples were beef meat, liver and kidney [20 of each] and the poultry samples were poultry meat, liver and kidney [20 of each] were randomly collected from butcher's and poultry shops at El.Giza province. The samples were transferred to the laboratory for estimation of lead, cadmium and arsenic residues by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The obtained results revealed that the mean values of lead, cadmium and arsenic residues in beef meat were 1.745 +/- 0.61 ppm, 0.93 +/- 0.05ppm and 53.1 +/- 3.4ppm [part per million], while the mean values of lead, cadmium and Arsenic residues in poultry meat [cuts] were 4.15 +/- 1.15ppm, 0.31 +/- 0.58ppm and 47.6 +/- 0.15ppm respectively. Also the mean values of pb, cd and As in examined beef livers were 3.15 +/- 1.08ppm, 0.95 +/- 0.15 ppm and 60.5 +/- 1.5 ppm respectively, while the mean values of pb, cd and As in examined poultry livers were 3.95 +/- 1.15ppm, 1.16 +/- 0.16ppm and 43.5 +/- 3.2ppm respectively. As well as the mean values of pb, cd and As examined beef kidney were 2.7 +/- 1.15ppm, 0.64 +/- 0.09ppm and 43.7 +/- 0.15ppm respectively. While the mean values of pb, cd and As in examined poultry kidney were 4.1 +/- 1.53ppm, 0.41 +/- 0.1ppm and 37.9 +/- 1.14ppm respectively. The public health significance and the prophylactic measures to avoid such residues were discussed