Determination of some heavy metals residues in slaughtered cattle at Sokoto and Gusau modern abattoirs, Nigeria

Some heavy metals are classified under environmental pollutant due to their toxic effects on animals, human and plants. These metals are not biodegradable in environment and find their way into the food chain. Concentrations of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and chromium (Cr) were determined in some selected organs and tissues (kidney, liver, muscle, hide and blood) of slaughtered cattle at Sokoto and Gusau modern abattoirs using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. At Sokoto modern abattoir, the prevalence rates of Pb and Cr were 100% each, while the prevalence rate of Cd was 98.67%. At Gusau modern abattoir, the prevalence rates of Pb and Cd were 100% each, while that of Cr was 98.67%. The overall mean concentrations of Pb, Cd, and Cr in slaughtered cattle at Sokoto modern abattoir ranged from 0.18 to 0.75 mg/kg, 0.03 to 0.34 mg/kg and 0.42 to 0.48 mg/kg, respectively. At Gusau modern abattoir, the concentrations ranged from 0.15 to 1.07, 0.01 to 0.17 and 0.26 to 0.36 mg/kg for Pb, Cd, and Cr respectively. There was a significant difference (P≤ 0.05) in the concentration of Pb, Cd, and Cr between different organs and tissue collected at both Sokoto and Gusau modern abattoirs. The main aim of this research is to determine the concentrations of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and chromium (Cr) in kidney, liver, muscle, hide, and blood of slaughtered cattle at both Sokoto and Gusau modern abattoirs. Key words: Abattoir, cattle, kidney, liver, muscle, hide, blood.