Levels of Selected Heavy Metals in Fresh Meat from Cattle, Sheep, Chicken and Camel Produced in Algeria

Abstract

Aims: Levels of selected heavy metals iron, copper, zinc, lead, cadmium and mercury were determined in fresh meat from cattle, sheep, chicken and camel produced in Algeria. Methodology: We are using atomic absorption spectrophotometry in some different samples of beef (n=120), sheep (n=120), chicken (n=120) and camel (n=120) of fresh meat collected in two areas north and south from Algeria. Results: The order of the levels of the trace elements obtained was iron >zinc >copper> lead >cadmium >mercury. The highest concentration of iron and lead were found in the chicken meat (246.83µg/g, 8.80µg/g respectively) while camel's meat maintained the lowest values of most studied metals except values of lead (3.21µg/g) and zinc (4.17µg/g) in southern area. Samples from the north area are more contaminated due to massive industrialization and agricultural practices. Conclusion: The concentrations of all essential elements in the selected products were high and often exceeded legal limits set by health authorities.