Estimation of Heavy Metal Levels in the Muscle, Gizzard, Liver and Kidney of Broiler, Layer and Local (Cockerel) Chickens Raised within Awka Metropolis and Its Environs, Anambra State, South Eastern Nigeria

P. A. C. Okoye¹, V. I. E. Ajiwe¹, O. R. Okeke², I. I. Ujah³, U. B. Asalu⁴, D. O. Okeke⁵

¹Pure and Industrial Chemistry Department, Nnamdi Azikiwe Univeristy, Awka, Nigeria.
²Optical Section, Scientific Equipment Development Institute, Enugu, Nigeria.
³Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
⁴Plastic Section, Scientific Equipment Development Institute, Enugu, Nigeria.
⁵Department of Applied Biochemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.

DOI: 10.4236/jep.2015.66055                

Abstract

65 chickens (layer, broiler and cockerel) from different farms within Awka metropolis and its environs were purchased, processed and analyzed for the levels of heavy metals (Pb, As, Cd, Ni, Cr, Hg, V and Cu) in the internal organs (muscle, gizzard, liver and kidney) of the chickens using flame atomic absorption spectrometer after nitric/perchloric acid digestion. The ranges of mean concentrations of the metals in the internal organs of the chickens in mg/g were Pb; (0.046 - 0.478) As; (0.053 - 0.318), Cd; (0.027 - 0.649), Cr; (0.045 - 0.234), Hg; (0.052 - 0.740), Ni; (0.038 - 0.534), V; (0.037 - 0.053), and Cu; (0.146 - 0.445). About 10% - 40% of Pb, Cd and Hg exceeded the permissible level of 0.5 ppm set for these metals in the liver and kidney of the chickens. Anova analysis revealed significance of the heavy metals in the internal organs of the chickens at p < 0.05.

Keywords

Heavy Metals, Bioaccumulation, Liver, Muscle, Gizzard, Kidney, Environmental Pollution

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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