Determination of heavy metals in meat and meat products in Lebanese markets

Abstract

Knowledge of trace and toxic metal concentrations in meat is important for assessing the effects and risks of such pollutants on human health when consumed. Metal levels in various types of meat have been measured in many countries but not in Lebanon. In this study, closed-vessel microwave digestion was used to prepare the samples prior to quantification, while Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (GFAAS) was used as the analytical technique to determine the concentration of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in various brands of canned and processed meat sold in the Lebanese markets. The data provided extremely important information to whether or not Lebanese individuals are exposed to high levels of toxic metals such as lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) through the consumption of such products. A total of 75 brand names of canned meat, and 33 brand names of processed (cold cuts) were collected. All samples were analyzed in triplicates and were run in batches that also included sample blanks as well as certified reference material to validate all methods used. All sample blanks have confirmed the absence of contaminations, while percent recoveries of the certified reference material have ranged within the acceptable analytical range between 80% and 120%. For the canned meat, the data showed that the levels of Pb in canned meat ranged from 0.00020µg/g to 0.8161µg/g with a mean of 0.02696µg/g. 29 brands showed levels of lead below the detectable limits. As for Cd, the data have revealed that the levels ranged from 0.00019µg/g to 0.1382µg/g with a mean of 0.01557µg/g. Only 7 brands showed levels of cadmium below the detectable limits. In the processed meat samples, Pb concentrations ranged from 0.00025µg/g to 0.06135µg/g with a mean of 0.0174µg/g. Of which three brands showed non-detectable Pb levels. The lowest concentration of cadmium found in processed meat was 0.0000245µg/g, while the highest was 0.0071µg/g. The mean concentration for cadmium was found to be 0.002386µg/g. Two major parameters, amount consumed and body weight, were found to play an important role in determining whether the provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake levels (PTWIs) of Pb and Cd were exceeded or not. Specifically for canned meats, some samples have shown that the PTWI has been markedly exceeded in children for both metals.