Assessment of Heavy Metal Levels in Offal Meats (Kidney and Liver) of Beef Sold at Gwagwalada Market, Abuja, Nigeria: An Overview

Aims: To determine the concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn) in kidney and liver
of slaughtered cattle.
Study Design: Analytical method.
Place and Duration of Study: Samples obtained from Gwagwalada abattoir in Abuja, Nigeria and
transported University of Abuja, Chemistry Laboratory for analysis. The study lasted for four (4)
months.
Methodology: Wet digestion of samples followed by metal analysis using Accusys 211 Bulk Scientific
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS).
Results: The empirical results indicated that the mean levels or concentration of these heavy metals
in kidney of cattle were 47.75±0.002 μg/g Zn, 279.5±0.084 μg/g Fe, 10.00±0.00μg/g Mn, while Cd
and Pb were not detected. The levels or concentration of heavy metals in the liver sample were
0.500=±0.000025 μg/g Cd, 57.00±0.0001 μg/g Zn, 119.5±0.0016 μg/g Fe, 5.75±0.000025 μg/g Mn,
Pb was not detected. The concentration of Fe and Mn were found to be high in kidney sample than
the liver sample.
Conclusion: The evidence from this study revealed the safety of these investigated offal meats as
the concentrations of these metals in the kidney and liver samples were within the maximum
permissible limit according to the European Commission (EC) and FAO/WHO standards.