Determination of Heavy Metals and Anti – Nutrients in Cow Meat Sold in Minna, Major Markets

Introduction: Meat is a major source of protein for the urban – population, but it could be susceptible to contamination by heavy metals, heavy metals and anti - nutrients pose a serious threat to human well being due to thier toxicity and chelating activity, this call for the need to determine thier level in meat which is one of our daily food.

Objectives: This study is designed to determine the concentrations of heavy metals (Lead, Chromium, Cupper, Cadmium, and Zinc) and anti-nutrients (Phytate, Oxalate and cyanogenic glycoside) in cow meat sold in different locations in Minna, Niger State.

Method: A total of 12 beef samples were bought from beef outlet in 4 major markets in Minna namely Bosso Market, Kure Market, Mobil Market, and Tunga Market. The level of the heavy metals were assayed using Atomic Absorbance Spectrophotometry (AAS) while that of anti – nutrients were determined using standard analytical methods.

Results: Show that the concentration of Lead is highest across all locations while that of Zinc is the lowest across all locations. The order of the level of heavy metal concentration across the locations are Pb > Cd = Cu >Cr > Zn. Lead (Pb) concentrations across the four markets are 6.340±1.3562µg/g, 6.766±0.3684µg/g, 6.057±1.2097µg/g, 3.716±0.247µg/g respectively, while that of zinc are 0.310±0.0061µg/g, 0.304±0.0023µg/g, 0.298±0.0227µg/g, 0.299±0.0180µg/g respectively.

Conclusion: Results from this study indicate that heavy metal toxicity could result from the consumption of cow meat from these study areas.