HEAVY METALS LOAD IN NORTHERN BREED GOAT (CAPRA HIRCUS) AND SHEEP BREED (RAM) AND THEIR HEALTH RISK THROUGH CONSUMPTION

ABSTRACT

Tissues (kidney, liver and muscle) obtained from northern breed goat and sheep breed (ram) were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry for the concentrations of chromium (Cr), copper (Cu) and nickel (Ni). The metals were detected in the samples except for Ni whose concentration was below detectable limit in the muscle of northern breed goat. The highest concentration occurred in the kidney of sheep breed, while the least concentration occurred in the muscle of northern breed goat. The mean±SD values of the heavy metals detected in northern breed goat kidney, liver and muscle samples were 0.155±0.064, 0.150±0.014 and 0.175±0.064 mg/kg, for Cr respectively; 0.050±0.056, 0.175±0.219 and 0.005±0.007 mg/kg, for Cu respectively; and 0.005±0.007, 0.005±0.007 and 0.000±0.0 mg/kg, for Ni respectively. The mean±SD values of the heavy metals detected in sheep breed (ram) kidney, liver and muscle samples were 0.200±0.141, 0.110±0.014 and 0.150±0.098 mg/kg, for Cr respectively; 0.010±0.00, 0.060±0.070 and 0.010±0.000 mg/kg, for Cu respectively; and 0.040±0.056, 0.005±0.007 and 0.030±0.028 mg/kg, for Ni respectively. The concentrations of all heavy metals were within the permissible limits set by FAO/WHO. The estimated daily intake of each metal was lower than its tolerable daily intake. The total target hazard quotient of the northern breed goat and sheep breed (ram) had same value (0.00003). The calculated cancer risk for northern breed goat were 5.58 and 0.12 for Cr and Ni respectively. The calculated cancer risk for sheep breed (ram) were 5.34 and 0.87 for Cr and Ni respectively. The values for calculated cancer risk suggests significant health risk to the consumers of the meat from northern goat breed and sheep breed obtained from markets within Edo State, Nigeria.