Determination of Some Heavy Metals in Selected Poultry Feeds Available in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria.

Abstract

Heavy metals determination was carried out in some selected poultry feed samples used as starter, grower, layer and finisher obtained from Kano Metropolis. Heavy metals content was determined using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy and expressed in mg/kg. The results show different concentration levels of Cadmium, Cobalt, Copper, Iron, Manganese, Nickel, Lead, Chromium and Zinc detected in all samples. They ranged from 0.53±0.02-3.19±0.01mg/kg, 0.13±0.01-3.33±0.06mg/kg, 2.03±0.01-5.41±0.01mg/kg, 08.79±0.06- 19.74±0.06mg/kg, 12.50±0.01-37.50±0.01mg/kg, 1.03±0.06-2.06±0.01mg/kg, 0.27±0.06- .80±0.06mg/kg, 2.38±0.01mg/kg-0.47±0.06 and 16.30±0.01-38.04±0.06mg/kg respectively. The levels of Zinc, Iron, Manganese and Copper were found to be below the requirement set by SON. Cadmium levels were found in all samples to exceed the permissible limits FAO/WHO which both are 1mg/kg; with the exception of feed C grower (0.532mg/kg) which falls below the limit. The metals were found to be statistically significant p>0.05 in the feeds.

Keywords: Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, Finisher, Grower, Heavy metals, Layer, Poultry feed, Starter