Content of Selected Macro- and Microelements in the Liver of Free-Living Wild Boars (Sus scrofa L.) from Agricultural Areas and Health Risks Associated with Consumption of Liver

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the levels of selected toxic and non-toxic elements in the liver of free-living wild boars from agricultural areas and to assess health risks associated with liver consumption. Samples were collected from 70 wild boars. The animals were divided into three age groups (group I up to one year, group II from one to three years, group III over three to five years). It was shown that wild boar liver is a rich source of mineral compounds (K, Fe, Mg, Ca, Zn, and Cu). The age was found to exert an effect on the concentration of most minerals. The sex significantly determined the content of Fe, Ca, and Cd. The maximum allowable level of Cd in the liver was exceeded in two and three samples from groups I and III, respectively. Therefore, regular monitoring of the content of this element in tissues of game animals is extremely important and advisable to assess the consumer exposure to this metal. From the point of view of human health, the estimation of the non-carcinogenic risk indicated that the intake of individual trace elements through the consumption of the liver was safe, whereas consumption of combined trace elements (only in the case of the consumption of the wild boar liver twice a week) suggested a potential health risk to children.

The Levels of Mineral Elements and Toxic Metals in the Longissimus lumborum Muscle, Hair and Selected Organs of Red Deer (Cervus elaphus L.) in Poland

“…On the other hand, meat, liver and kidneys are consumed by humans, and for this reason, the presence of harmful xenobiotics in these organs can pose a real threat to human health. Considering the above, the assessment of the safety and quality of food products sourced from game is very important [ 2 , 5 , 6 , 15 ].…”

“…Meat, liver and kidneys of red deer can be considered as an excellent source of essential elements such as Co, Cu, Mo, Mn, Se and Zn [ 28 ]. The comparison of levels of macro- and microelements in the meat, liver and kidneys of game species with the meat and other tissues of livestock shows that game meat is characterised by more beneficial proportions of these elements and better health-promoting properties [ 1 , 15 , 26 ]. Muscles from wild animals usually contain more Fe, Zn and Cu than those from livestock because wild animals are more physically active, and therefore, have higher levels of respiratory proteins containing Fe or Cu.…”

“…The considerable variation in the content of macro- and microelements in individual tissues may result from many different factors. In addition to the aforementioned type of diet or physical activity, season of sampling, sex and age may also be of great importance [ 15 , 26 ]. Stags are hunted in the autumn–winter season, and therefore, a high concentration of most minerals in meat or other tissues may be related to the fact that after a few months of eating wholesome, natural food in spring and summer, these animals supplied greater amounts of essential nutrients to their tissues.…”

“…Some plants tend to accumulate more pollutants [ 10 ] of which the consumption by an animal is a source of direct exposure to these compounds and their increased accumulation in animal tissues [ 7 ]. Toxic elements can accumulate in hard tissues, such as bones, teeth [ 7 , 8 ] and antlers [ 9 ], in hair [ 3 , 5 , 13 , 14 ] and in the parenchymal organs, such as the liver [ 4 , 15 , 16 ], muscles [ 6 , 17 ] and kidneys [ 4 , 18 ]. Red deer living in a given area have different access to essential trace elements and toxic elements, which is reflected in their different concentration in animal tissues [ 11 ].…”

“…On the other hand, Pb is distributed throughout the body and, regardless of the way of absorption, deposited mainly in the bones [ 10 ]. In the body of mammals, Pb also accumulates in the liver and kidneys [ 15 ].…”