Characterization of Heavy Metals in Broiler and Fish Feeds from Some Selected Markets of Mymensingh and Tangail Districts

Abstract

Contamination of feedstuffs and ingredients with heavy metals has become a global issue due to the transmission of toxic substances within the human food chain. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the concentration of heavy metals in broiler and fish feed from some selected markets of Mymensingh and Tangail districts. Nine broiler feeds (Swadhin, Paragon, BP feed, Adnan Agro grower, Adnan Agro Sonali, Nourish, United, Sonali Grower and New hope) and six fish feeds (Stella S-3 small size, Stella S-3 big size, Mega 102, Ruposhi Bangla Shift-A 2/P/F, Ruposhi Bangla Shift-A T/G and Mega 301) were selected for this study. Cadmium, lead and chromium concentration of all samples were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (Shimadzu AA-7000). The detected maximum and minimum concentrations of these elements ranged from 0.012-0.027 ppm for cadmium, 0.09-0.17 ppm for lead and >0.05-334.8207 ppm for chromium. The concentrations of heavy metals in feeds were the highest for Cr and the lowest for Pb. It was observed that lower concentrations of Cd and Pb were found in broiler and fish feeds, all of which were below detection limit according to the World Health Organization and European Commission for food safety. Concentrations of Cr in two samples (one fish feed, Stella S-3 small size and one broiler feed, Swadhin feeds) exceeded the standard limits, which indicate that not all the feed samples are safe for human health and Cr may be bio-accumulated to human body through consumption of broiler or fish contaminated with Cr.