Food safety aspects of primary environmental contaminants in the edible tissues of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus)

Abstract

The muscle, liver, kidney and fat samples of 20 roe deer of both sexes originating from a hunting area in central Hungary were investigated for the presence of heavy metals such as As, Cd, Hg and Pb, and their contents were evaluated for possible health risk to consumers. Both As and Hg were found at a level below the limit of detection (< 0.5 mg/kg wet weight) in all samples. The median of the measured Cd concentrations was significantly higher in both the kidney and the liver (p = 0.0011) of bucks than of does. In bucks, Cd levels exceeded the respective maximum limits laid down in the European legislation in four kidney and three muscle samples, whereas in does, the measured concentrations were below the respective limits in all samples. The detected amounts of Pb exceeded the maximum limits in the kidney of one buck and eight does, in the liver of two bucks and six does, in the muscle of six bucks and nine does, whereas in all fat tissues of both bucks and does. The concentration of Pb (p = 0.02) was significantly greater in the kidney of does compared to roebucks. Based on data obtained from the present study, the consumption of organs and tissues of the investigated roe deer could be objectionable from food-toxicological point of view and may pose risk to the high consumers of wild game due to their cadmium and lead contents.

Effects of age and sex on the content of heavy metals in the hair, liver and the longissimus lumborum muscle of roe deer Capreolus capreolus L.

“…However, the differences in the cited study were insignificant, and sex could not be regarded as a variable determining the concentration of elements. On the other hand, Lehel et al ( 2017 ) confirmed the effect of sex on the levels of Cd and Pb in the liver, muscle and kidneys of roe deer and found that Cd concentrations were higher in all organs and muscle of male animals, while Pb concentrations were higher in the liver and kidneys of female animals. No significant sex-related differences in the levels of Pb in meat were reported by Lehel et al ( 2017 ).…”

“…On the other hand, Lehel et al ( 2017 ) confirmed the effect of sex on the levels of Cd and Pb in the liver, muscle and kidneys of roe deer and found that Cd concentrations were higher in all organs and muscle of male animals, while Pb concentrations were higher in the liver and kidneys of female animals. No significant sex-related differences in the levels of Pb in meat were reported by Lehel et al ( 2017 ). The specific effect of sex on the absorption and metabolism of pollutants in the body may result from the differences between females and males at almost all levels, including gene expression and biochemistry, physiology, morphology and ontogeny (Burger 2007 ; Legras et al 2000 ).…”

“…soil and surface water bodies, and from there migrate to plants and accumulate in them. The next link in the food chain are animals and humans, and metals accumulate in their different tissues and organs, such as the liver, kidneys (Cai et al 2009 ; Cygan-Szczegielniak 2021 ; Lehel et al 2017 ), hair (Cygan-Szczegielniak 2021 ; Cygan-Szczegielniak et al 2018 ; Kośla et al 2011 ; Wongsasuluk et al 2018 ) or muscles (Cygan-Szczegielniak 2021 ; Lehel et al 2016 ; Lehel et al 2017 ). Cd can easily be absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, as well as cross the placental barrier and damage the structure of nucleic acid chains.…”

Monitoring of metal content in the tissues of wild boar (Sus scrofa) and its food safety aspect

“…In another study, an average of 0.0078 mg/kg of cadmium was obtained in wild boar muscle, which may be like ours at a lower detection limit (Danieli et al 2012 ). Values below the LOD findings were noted in the muscle samples of roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus ) (Lehel et al 2016a , b ), not much differently in the muscle of roe bucks 0.04 ± 0.02 mg/kg (Lehel et al 2017 ). However, higher residue was detected in liver and kidney in both bucks (0.13 ± 0.04 mg/kg; 1.03 ± 0.52 mg/kg) and does (0.03 ± 0.02 mg/kg; 0.21 ± 0.20 mg/kg) (Lehel et al 2017 ).…”

“…Due to its redox activity, it has a detrimental effect on the antioxidant system, causes oxidative stress, increases lipid peroxidation, and changes the lipid composition of the membrane (Xu et al 2003 ; Nair et al 2013 ; Lehel et al 2016a , b ). The highest amounts of Cd can be measured in the kidneys and liver of food-producing animals (Laczay 2015 ; Lehel et al 2017 ).…”