Determine the levels of heavy metal residues in different parts of chicken in the Tikrit and Beji cities of Iraq

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the level of heavy metal residues in different parts of local chicken meat (thigh, bone, liver, and breast) obtaining from different houses in the Iraqi cities of Tikrit and Beji. Heavy metal contamination in poultry products is a major concern due to its potential health effects on consumers. Samples were collected from local markets and analyzed for the presence of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), and lead (Pb) using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The results indicated that chicken parts all sampled contained detectable level of heavy metals, with concentrations varying between parts. The high level of heavy metals cadmium (Cd) in the liver part in Tikrit was (0.422), also addition the high level of heavy metals copper (Cu) in L the liver part in Beji was (1.923), also the high level of heavy metals cobalt (Co) in the bone part in Tikrit was (1.403) and the high level of heavy metals lead (Pb) in the bone part in Tikrit was (1.045), indicating regional differences in contamination. These results emphasize the importance of monitoring heavy metal levels in different parts of chicken to ensure food safety and public health

Keywords

• Heavy metal residues, Chicken parts, public health and Monitoring