Determination of the presence and concentration of heavy metal in cattle hides singed in Nsukka abattoir

Abstract

Due to the health related problems associated with eating red meat, cattle hides also known as ponmo or kanda, have become a substitute for red meat in Nigeria which in turn have resulted in the increase demand for this product. To meet this demand, abattoir workers do not take time in processing these hides appropriately as different substances are used to fuel the wood to hasten the process of singeing. Unfortunately, these substance deposits some toxic metals into the hides, which is capable of causing harm to its consumers. This study aims at investigating the heavy metal contamination of the hides singed in Nsukka slaughter slab due to the various substances used to singe the hides. Samples of singed and unsinged cattle hides were collected from the abattoir and analysed for cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb) using Buck Scientific Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Results showed that the mean concentrations of Pb, Cd, Fe, Cu, and Ni in unsinged hides were 5.65±0.70, 1.93±0.39, 9.88±1.11, 10.45±1.19 and 1.95±0.12 mg/kg, respectively. In singed hides, the mean concentrations of Pb, Cd, Fe, Cu, and Ni were 4.36±0.79, 1.48±0.28, 21.60±3.52, 12.77±1.06 and 2.64±0.21 mg/kg, respectively. The mean concentrations of the metals with the exception of Cu in both unsinged and singed hides were above the maximum permissible level set by World Health organization (WHO) and European Commission. The results of this study proved that the environment and singeing processes may be responsible for the heavy metal contamination of hides in Nsukka abattoir.

An Investigation of the Level of Heavy Metals Contamination of Goat Meat Roasted with Scrap Tyres in Wukari, Nigeria

“…This metal could also have come from various sources such as vehicle emissions, agricultural chemicals, urban and industrial wastes (Okoye and Ugwu, 2010). Also the observed level of Cu in RMN2 and RMM2 in both slaughtering houses may be due to the fact that the slaughtered goats were placed directly on metal grids during processing as observed by Ekenma et al (2015). The concentrations of Cu in all the samples in both new market and Mammara slaughtering houses were observed to be far above the permissible limit (0.05-0.5 mg/kg) as recorded by FAO (1982).…”

“…Variations of Cd levels between the samples were statistically significant (p< 0.05) in new market and Mammara slaughtering houses. Cd have been reported to have no known bio-importance in human biochemistry and physiology and that its consumption even at very low concentrations can be toxic (Ekenma et al, 2015).…”

Fatal septicemia in 2 South American camelids with caudal C3-pyloric-duodenal adenocarcinoma

“…The gentle and docile nature of South American camelids (SACs) has contributed to their growing popularity as companion animals, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive understanding of their biology, care, and medical treatment. 1 This is particularly pertinent when addressing a disease such as neoplasia, which has been reported in SACs since 1974, including cutaneous, 13,16,17 ocular, 17 mammary, 9,17 and gastric squamous cell carcinoma [14][15][16] ; intestinal, 17 uterine, 7,16 biliary, 3,17 pancreatic, 17 mammary, 2,16 and pulmonary adenocarcinoma 12 ; fibrosarcoma; 6,17 and melanoma. 1 Of particular concern in SACs is gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma.…”

Determination of the Quantitative Composition of Mineral Substances in the Skin

“…Nigeriyadagi yirik qoramol terisidagi Pb, Cd, Fe, Cu, va Ni metallarining miqdori atomabsorpsion spektrofotometr usuli bilan tadqiq qilinganda ishlov berilmagan qoramol terisida 5,65±0,70; 1,93±0,39; 9,88±1,11; 10,45±1,19 va 1,95±0,12 mg/kg ni tashkil etgan. Kuydirish orqali ishlov berilgandan keyin yuqorida keltirilgan metallarning miqdori tegishli ravishda 4,36 ± 0,79; 1,48 ± 0,28, 21,60 ± 3,52, 12,77 ± 1,06 va 2,64 ± 0,21 mg/kg ga o'zgargan [8].…”