Content of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in various animal meats: a meta-analysis study, systematic review, and health risk assessment.

Abstract

Meat comprises the main part of the diet in many countries around the world. The present study aimed to assess potentially toxic elements (PTEs) lead (Pb), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe) in various meats (camel, chicken, cow, pork, birds, seafood (fish and crab), and sheep). The present study was performed on the concentration of PTEs in various meats by different databases including Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science along with a meta-analysis. Additionally, the non-carcinogenic risk was assessed by calculating the total hazard quotient (TTHQ). According to findings, the highest concentration of Cd was related to sea (0.460mg/kg). The highest concentrations of Cd and As were reported in camel meat (1.965 and 1.503mg/kg, respectively). Regarding trace elements, the highest concentrations of Zn, Fe, Cu, and Ni were observed in seafood (fish and crab), cow meat, and bird's meat (71.159mg/kg, 36.608mg/kg, 8.680mg/kg, and 1.592mg/kg, respectively). Moreover, considering the type of continents based on the concentration of PTEs in various meats, the highest concentrations of As (0.792mg/kg), Cd (0.315mg/kg), Pb (1.049mg/kg), Fe (44.088mg/kg), and Ni (1.113mg/kg) were related to Eastern Mediterranean region (EMRO), African Region (AFRO), EMRO, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and EMRO, respectively. However, the highest concentrations of Cu (4.846mg/kg) and Zn (60.742mg/kg) were related to European Region (EURO) and AFRO, respectively. On the other hand, the result of the risk assessment indicated that the risk pattern was different among countries.