Assessment of Heavy Metal Contents in Commercial Feedstuffs and Broiler (Gallus domesticus) Meat and Its Impact on Swiss Albino Mice as an Animal Model

This study was designed to examine the effect of commercially available poultry feedstuff on the broiler, subsequently, its impact on the experimental animal. The proximate composition as well as concentrations of Pb, Ni, Mn, As and Zn in broiler feed and meat were determined using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometry. Higher levels of Cr, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni were observed in broiler feed, broiler meat and in the liver of the experimental mice Swiss albino treated with BB1 and BB2. The concentration of these (Cr, Pb and As) metal were 0.182, 0.18, 0.163 μg/g and 0.233, 0.08, 0.158 μg/g, respectively. The blood cholesterol and LDL were significantly higher in the broiler meat treated experimental mice. Remarkable degeneration observed in the liver and kidney of broiler meat-treated mice. It is concluded that although broiler has nutritional benefits the quality of this meat may be compromised as a consequence of contamination through various anthropogenic activities and the presence of toxic metals in commercial poultry feed.