Determination of heavy metals from table poultry eggs in Peshawar-Pakistan

Abstract

Environmental problems related to pollution of soil, food and water have been increased with industrialization. This work aims to quantify the heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Cr, Pb, and Zn) concentration of edible poultry eggs which directly affect human health. Twelve consecutive eggs from same bird in triplicate were collected from five different poultry farms i. e. F1, F2, F3, F4 and F5 in district Peshawar Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Total concentration of egg parts egg white, egg yolk and whole egg basis was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results indicated that on whole egg basis the Cd, Zn and Pb content showed 2-3fold increases than the permissible daily intake level. However the Cu was within consumable limit while Cr was undetectable. It results obtained can be used as primary tools to further ensure egg quality control and also can work as dataset for the close monitoring of food contamination by governments and environmentalist.