Trace metals assessement of barbecue meat (suya) in Owerri metropolis

Description

Trace metals assessement of barbecue meat (suya) in Owerri metropolis.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the concentration of toxic metals (Cd, Cr, Pb, As, Zn, Mn and Fe) in barbecue meat (suya) at Owerri Metropolis, Imo State Nigeria by using a Buck scientific 210 model VGP Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The levels of trace metals in barbecue meat (suya samples of A, B, C, D and E) Varied in concentration. The trace metal estimation in the investigated samples indicated the following range of concentration: Fe: 131.9-302mg/kg, Zn: 164-214mg/kg, Mn: 2.4-9.8mg/kg, Cr: 1.2-2.4mg/kg, Cd: 0.2-1.2mg/kg. The concentration of lead (pb) and arsenic (As) was below the detection limit which indicates that the food stuff are safe from lead and arsenic toxicity. The concentration of the five toxic metals being very negligible in most of the samples indicates that these foodstuffs are reasonably safe from metal toxicity. The barbecue meat (suya) analyzed may have a potential health risk to consumers and the information obtained from the present investigation is expected to be useful to the general public in buying suya meat as their diet.