DETERMINATION OF MERCURY, LEAD, CADMIUM, COPPER, IRON AND MANGANESE IN SHEEP, COW AND CHICKEN LIVER SAMPLES IN TURKEY

Liver is the most important organ involved in metabolic processes and is considered to be one of the most eloquent witnesses of any disturbance in the body. The aim of the present study is to determine mercury, lead, cadmium, copper, iron and manganese concentrations in sheep, cow and chicken liver samples. The validation of the method was confirmed by analysis of standard reference material (BCR CRM 422 Cod Muscle). Levels of copper in the sheep and cow 640 and 675 mg/kg, respectively and were the highest in the animal livers examined. The concentration of other metals in liver samples were found in the range of 17.2-402 μg/kg for mercury, 129-411 mg/kg for iron and 30.2-141 mg/kg for manganese. Chicken liver samples were found to contain the highest amount of the mercury and manganese analyzed. With regard to the fact that in some samples maximum allowable limits for liver samples were exceeded, effective ecological measures should be taken that would have a beneficial effect on the landscape and environment.