Assessment of Heavy Metal Levels in Offal Meats (Kidney and Liver) of Beef Sold at Gwagwalada Market, Abuja, Nigeria

Aims: To determine the concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn) in kidney and liver of slaughtered cattle.

Study Design: Analytical method.

Place and Duration of Study: Samples obtained from Gwagwalada abattoir in Abuja, Nigeria and transported University of Abuja, Chemistry Laboratory for analysis. The study lasted for four (4) months.

Methodology: Wet digestion of samples followed by metal analysis using Accusys 211 Bulk Scientific Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS).

Results: The empirical results indicated that the mean levels or concentration of these heavy metals in kidney of cattle were 47.75±0.002 mg/g Zn, 279.5±0.084 mg/g Fe, 10.00±0.00mg/g Mn, while Cd and Pb were not detected. The levels or concentration of heavy metals in the liver sample were 0.500=±0.000025 mg/g Cd, 57.00±0.0001 mg/g Zn, 119.5±0.0016 mg/g Fe, 5.75±0.000025 mg/g Mn, Pb was not detected. The concentration of Fe and Mn were found to be high in kidney sample than the liver sample.

Conclusion: The evidence from this study revealed the safety of these investigated offal meats as the concentration of these metals in the kidney and liver sample were within the maximum permissible limit according to the European Commission (EC) and FAO/WHO standards.