Heavy Metals and Mineral Contents of Beef Sold at University Campus, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Heavy Metals and Mineral Contents of Beef Sold at University Campus, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Gulsanga1, Zahin Anjum1, Sahib Alam2* and Farhat Shehzad1
ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to examine the heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb and Ni) and electrolytes (Na, K, Ca, Mg and P) contents of cow and buffalo muscle meat obtained from University Campus, Peshawar. The data showed that Cu, Zn, Pb and Ni concentrations in cow meat ranged from 7.27 to 14.81, 64.00 to 112.12, 3.30 to 6.25 and 0.73 to 2.53 mg/kg whereas the concentrations of these heavy metals in buffalo meat varied from 3.15 to 7.71, 72.88 to 88.47, 1.41 to 13.28 and 0.38 to 1.93 mg/kg, respectively. The average Na, K, Ca, Mg and P contents in cow’s and buffalo’s meat were found to be 54.75 and 67.45, 351.67 and 333.75, 4.61 and 6.31, 21.50 and 26.76, and 212.75 and 181.32 mg/kg, respectively. The average contents of Cu, Zn, Ni, K and P were higher in cow’s meat whereas the concentrations of Pb, Na, Ca and Mg were higher in buffalo’s meat. The toxic heavy metal Pb concentration was greater than the maximum permissible limit (0.1 mg/kg) of World Health Organization (WHO) in both types of meats. It was concluded that beef is a valuable source for essential mineral elements in human nutrition. However, the increased level of Pb should be of utmost concern while consuming excessive amount of beef.
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