Assessment of Cadmium, Manganese and Lead in Tissues and Organs of Gallus gallus domesticus (Chicken) and Numida meleagris (Guinea fowl)

Abstract

Animals may bioaccumulate heavy metals from the environment, their periodic monitoring can
provide dietary concentrations. This study is aimed at estimating the dietary risk of Cd, Mn and
Pb in male and female chickens, Gallus gallus domesticus (caged and free ranged) and guinea
fowl, Numida meleagris, by analysing their muscle, liver, kidney and gizzard. The birds were
slaughtered, defeathered and dissected in order to remove the targeted samples. These samples
were digested using HNO3:H2O2:HClO4 (10:2:1) in a Teflon beaker. The digest was analysed
with Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). The results show that caged Gallus gallus
domesticus (male and female) have the highest concentration of cadmium and possibly
manganese in their muscles while Pb concentration was highest in the liver of free ranged female
Gallus gallus domesticus. The birds under investigation did not constitute any health risk but
exposure over long period is a concern and hence periodic monitoring is suggested.