Abstract
The aim of the present study was to determine the most significant heavy metal concentration in hen eggs, in particular to compare the heavy metal concentration in eggs originating from industrial poultry farms versus free-range hens. The sampling process was carried out between October and December 2018, in the Republic of Kosovo. In total, 22 random egg samples were collected, with 54.5% and 45.5% of samples coming from poultry farms and free-range hens, respectively. The measurements of the heavy metals were taken by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), using a wide range of elements, and only the most important elements were reported, such as Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Hg, and Pb within the range of 0.48–8.45, 38.77–289, 4286.59–15383.74, 0.45–144.74, 61.68–550.59, 1078.04–11378.56, 0.29–35.42, 0.27–6.54, and 0.04–1.41 μg kg−1, respectively. This study revealed that the heavy metals in eggs from free-range hens are richer in essential elements such as Mn, Fe, and Zn, while poultry farm eggs contain a higher contribution of Cr, Cd, As, and Pb. However, the daily intake of heavy metals from egg consumption was lower than the WHO-FAO advised provisional daily intake. Therefore, egg consumption does not exceed the safety levels of toxic metals and does not pose any risk to human health.
Highlights
Hen eggs constitute high-value nutrients, cheap food for humans, and have an important role in the daily diet of humans globally. ey are an important source of protein and contain several essential vitamins and minerals [1, 2]
Eggs are capable of accumulating heavy metals [8]. e frequent occurrence of heavy metals in eggs may be attributed to the contamination of hen eggs, which are exposed to heavy metals through feed intake and the surrounding environment [9]. e continuous intake of heavy metals through food at unsafe levels could have adverse effects in the terms of disrupting many biological and biochemical processes in humans, especially in children [10, 11]
We show the results of the determination of ten trace elements: chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb); we took into consideration elements recognized as toxic metals such as Cd, As, Pb, and Hg, including an essential element Cr, on eggs obtained from poultry farms and free-range hens
Summary
Received 8 December 2020; Revised 23 February 2021; Accepted 1 March 2021; Published 9 March 2021. E aim of the present study was to determine the most significant heavy metal concentration in hen eggs, in particular to compare the heavy metal concentration in eggs originating from industrial poultry farms versus free-range hens. 22 random egg samples were collected, with 54.5% and 45.5% of samples coming from poultry farms and free-range hens, respectively. Is study revealed that the heavy metals in eggs from free-range hens are richer in essential elements such as Mn, Fe, and Zn, while poultry farm eggs contain a higher contribution of Cr, Cd, As, and Pb. the daily intake of heavy metals from egg consumption was lower than the WHO-FAO advised provisional daily intake. The daily intake of heavy metals from egg consumption was lower than the WHO-FAO advised provisional daily intake. erefore, egg consumption does not exceed the safety levels of toxic metals and does not pose any risk to human health
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