A study assessing some metal elements contamination levels in grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus Temminck) meat

 

JO Igene, KI Okoro, PA Ebabhamiegbebho and SE Evivie*

 

Research Article | Published August 2015

International Journal of Biotechnology and Food Science, Vol. 3(5), pp. 63-69

 

 

Food Science and Nutrition Unit, Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, PMB 1154 Benin City, Nigeria.

 

*Corresponding author. E-mail: Besta_intercom@yahoo.com.      

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Chromium, Arsenic and Nickel contamination levels in fresh and smoke-dried grasscutters were assessed in this study. Muscle, liver and kidney of wild and domesticated grasscutters were purchased from Uwa, New Benin, Arbico markets and Makarios graduate grasscutter farmers Edo Development and Property Authority Housing Estate respectively, in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria and analysis was carried out using Atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) after wet digestion of samples with 1:3 Perchloric acid and Nitric acid. Data obtained were statistically analyzed using SAS. In a 4×3×2 randomized complete block design. The ranges obtained for the heavy metals analyzed in (fresh and smoke-dried) muscle, liver and kidney samples were observed as follows: Cr (0.072 to 1.186 mg/kg) (0.074 to 0.306 mg/kg), Cd (0.186 to 7.516 mg/kg) (0.277 to 2.723 mg/kg) and Ni (0.041 to 0.725 mg/kg) (0.045 to 0.188 mg/kg) respectively. Generally, the heavy metal concentrations were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the fresh and smoke-dried muscle, liver and kidney of wild grasscutters than the values from domesticated grasscutters. Fresh grasscutter samples were however, significantly higher (P < 0.05) in these heavy metals than in smoke-dried grasscutter samples. Chromium and Nickel levels were higher that recommended accepted limits. Arsenic (As) was not detected in all samples analyzed.

 

Keywords: Arsenic, contamination, chromium, domestication, grasscutter, nickel.

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Citation: Igene JO, Okoro KI, Ebabhamiegbebho PA, Evivie SE (2015). A study assessing some metal elements contamination levels in grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus Temminck) meat. Int. J. Biotechnol. Food Sci. 3(5): 63-69.

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