Assessment of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) concentrations in Maize as an animal feed in Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a popular livestock feed as well as a good accumulator of toxic elements. Considering the potential for toxic elements to transfer from animal feed to human body through the food chain, along with the carcinogenic characteristics of these elements, the current study aims to evaluate the concentrations of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and mercury (Hg) in 141 samples of Maize collected from Tehran, Iran.The concentrations of potentially toxic elements were measured using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The mean levels of toxic elements including Cd, Pb, As, and Hg in maize samples were 0.009±0.007 ppm, 0.090±0.034 ppm, 0.013±0.006 ppm, and 0.009±0.002 ppm, respectively.Our findings indicate that the mean concentrations of toxic elements in all samples were significantly (P ≤ 0.001) lower than the recommended levels set by Iranian standard organization (ISO). Therefore, maize consumed, as an animal staple feedstuff, is safe in terms of toxic element concentrations. Considering the novelty of this study, as the number of the studies in this field is limited in Iran and the significance of this research, is highlighted by the wide distribution of toxic elements in the surrounding environment and their inevitable entrance to feedstuffs as well as their accumulative behavior, continuous monitoring is highly recommended to ensure consumer safety.

Keywords

• Animal feed
• Maize
• Potentially toxic elements (PTEs)
• Iran