Abstract of research

HEAVY METAL RESIDUES IN FRESH AND READY - TO – EAT EDIBLE OFFAL

Hassan, M. A.a; Reham, A. Amina¬; El- Ekhnawy, K. I. band Naglaa, A. El-Taibb

Abstract

A total of 90 random samples of fresh and ready - to – eat (RTE) cattle edible offal represented by kidney, liver and spleen (30 of each organ: 15 as fresh samples and 15 as RTE samples) were collected from different butcher's shops and edible offal serving establishment masmats in Zifta and Tanta cities at Gharbia governorate and directly transferred to the laboratory for determination of their contents of lead, cadmium, copper and mercury. The obtained results indicated that the mean values of lead concentration in the examined samples of fresh kidney, liver and spleen were 0.98 ± 0.06, 0.72 ± 0.03 and 0.57 ± 0.02 mg/kg wet weight, respectively, while such values in RTE samples were 1.23 ± 0.07, 0.95 ± 0.04 and 0.69 ± 0.03 mg/kg wet weight, respectively. According to 'EOS [5] the percentages of unaccepted fresh kidney, liver and spleen samples were 33.33%, 20% and 6.67%, respectively, while, 46.67%, 40% and 20%, respectively, in RTE samples. However, the mean values of cadmium concentration in the examined samples of fresh kidney, liver and spleen were 1.87 ± 0.14, 1.48 ± 0.10 and 1.04 ± 0.07mg/kg wet weight, respectively, while such values in RTE samples were 2.39 ± 0.15, 2.01 ± 0.08 and 1.44 ± 0.09 mg/kg wet weight, respectively. According to EOS [5] the percentages of unaccepted fresh kidney, liver and spleen samples were 13.33%, 13.33% and zero%, respectively, while, 26.67%, 20% and 6.67%, respectively, in RTE samples. Meanwhile, the mean values of copper concentration in the examined samples of fresh kidney, liver and spleen were 5.28 ± 0.30, 2.35 ± 0.17 and 4.96 ± 0.26 mg/kg wet weight, respectively, while such values in RTE samples were 5.52 ± 0.34, 2.76 ± 0.18 and 5.07 ± 0.29 mg/kg wet weight, respectively. According to [7] all the examined samples of fresh and RTE edible offal were accepted. Whereas, the mean values of mercury concentration in the examined samples of fresh kidney, liver and spleen were 0.29 ± 0.02, 0.25 ± 0.01 and 0.11 ± 0.01 mg/kg wet weight, respectively, while such values in RTE samples were 0.37 ± 0.02, 0.28 ± 0.01 and 0.16 ± 0.01 mg/kg wet weight, respectively. According to[8], the percentages of unaccepted fresh kidney, liver and spleen samples were 6.67%, zero% and zero %, respectively, while, 6.67%, 6.67 % and zero%, respectively, in RTE samples. The differences between the examined samples of fresh and RTE edible offal were highly significant (p < 0.01) according to their lead, cadmium, copper and mercury contents. Public health significance and the possible sources of contamination of such fresh and RTE edible offal, as well as some recommendations to improve the quality of such food articles were discussed.