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Abstract
The concentrations of heavy metals; lead (Pb) and chromium (Cr) in cow offals (liver, kidney, intestine, and tripe "shaki") were investigated. A total of twelve samples were collected from three different abattoirs in Ovia North-East, Benin City, Nigeria: The University of Benin (UNIBEN), Ekosodin, and the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), consisting of four cow offals from each location. Sampling was carried out twice at two-week intervals. Heavy metal extraction was performed using the standard wet-acid digestion method, and concentrations were determined via Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS).
Results revealed that chromium (Cr) was detected in all samples, with concentrations ranging from 0.04 to 0.19 mg/kg, while lead (Pb) was variably detected, ranging from not detected (ND) to 0.10 mg/kg. The highest Cr concentration (0.19 mg/kg) was recorded in the kidney sample from UNIBEN (UN-K), while the lowest (0.04 mg/kg) was found in the liver sample from UNIBEN (UN-L). For lead, the highest concentration was observed in the kidney sample from Ekosodin (EK-K) at 0.10 mg/kg.
When compared with the Codex Alimentarius Commission/FAO/WHO permissible limits for heavy metals in edible offals; Pb: 0.50 mg/kg, Cr: 0.05 mg/kg some of the measured Cr values, particularly in the second sampling set, exceeded the recommended safety threshold, such as 0.19 mg/kg in UN-K and 0.16 mg/kg in EK-S. These findings indicate potential contamination and raise concerns about food safety and public health, particularly among populations with high offal consumption.
These results underscore the importance of regular monitoring, improved waste and feed management, and regulatory oversight of abattoir practices to limit environmental and food-chain exposure to toxic metals.
Results revealed that chromium (Cr) was detected in all samples, with concentrations ranging from 0.04 to 0.19 mg/kg, while lead (Pb) was variably detected, ranging from not detected (ND) to 0.10 mg/kg. The highest Cr concentration (0.19 mg/kg) was recorded in the kidney sample from UNIBEN (UN-K), while the lowest (0.04 mg/kg) was found in the liver sample from UNIBEN (UN-L). For lead, the highest concentration was observed in the kidney sample from Ekosodin (EK-K) at 0.10 mg/kg.
When compared with the Codex Alimentarius Commission/FAO/WHO permissible limits for heavy metals in edible offals; Pb: 0.50 mg/kg, Cr: 0.05 mg/kg some of the measured Cr values, particularly in the second sampling set, exceeded the recommended safety threshold, such as 0.19 mg/kg in UN-K and 0.16 mg/kg in EK-S. These findings indicate potential contamination and raise concerns about food safety and public health, particularly among populations with high offal consumption.
These results underscore the importance of regular monitoring, improved waste and feed management, and regulatory oversight of abattoir practices to limit environmental and food-chain exposure to toxic metals.
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