Effect of different dehairing methods on the concentrations of some heavy metals in cow tail sold in Minna Abattoir

Abstract

Heavy metals are a group of heterogeneous elements that bioacumulate in tissues causing hazardous effects on livestock and human health. In the present study, effect of different dehairing methods on the concentration of some heavy metals in cow tail sold in Minna abattoir were evaluated. Three fresh cow tails were obtained Bosso abattoir in Minna, Niger state Nigeria. Each cow tail was divided into three portions and was dehaired using fire wood, scrap tyres and scalding method respectively. Each of the processed cow tail were separated into the skin, meat, and bones and analysed for heavy metals (arsenic, lead, cadmium, mercury and chromium) using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Heavy metals analysed in all the samples were above the permissible limit. Furthermore, mercury was significantly (p 0.05) in arsenic and cadmium concentration in all cow tail parts among the three dehairing method employed. Cow-tail de-hairing methods enhanced the heavy metal accumulations in the skin, meat and bone contents of cow tail. Continuous consumption of these cow tail pats could become a serious human health threat.