Journal of Veterinary and Applied Sciences

Abstract
Heavy metals are among hazardous chemicals that are of public health concern in food safety. In many African countries, like in Nigeria, hides are sold and consumed as cherished food item. The present study investigated the levels of heavy metals in singed, singed-washed and un-singed hides of cattle slaughtered at two major abattoirs in Enugu State, Nigeria (Enugu and Nsukka abattoirs). Using atomic absorption spectrophotometry, the levels of heavy metals were determined in a total of 480 samples of un-singed hides (USH), singed hides (SH) and singed-washed hides (SWH) collected from 160 cattle over a 12-month study period. Results showed that lead concentrations recorded in Enugu and Nsukka abattoir respectively were 0.0277 ± 0.0038 and 0.0207 ± 0.0025 mg/kg in SH, 0.0261 ± 0.0037 and 0.0196 ± 0.0024 mg/kg in SWH and 0.0176 ± 0.0030 and 0.0128 ± 0.0016 mg/kg in USH. For cadmium, 0.0035 ± 0.008, 0.0054 ± 0.0012 and 0.0045 ± 0.0010 mg/kg concentrations were recorded in Enugu abattoir for USH, SH and SWH, respectively. Cadmium concentrations recorded at Nsukka abattoir were 0.0033 ± 0.0068, 0.0047 ± 0.0103 and 0.0037 ± 0.0074 mg/kg in USH, SH and SWH, respectively. Copper concentration in hides sampled at Enugu abattoir were 0.0250± 0.0032 mg/kg for SH, 0.0168 ± 0.0027 mg/kg for USH and 0.0210 ± 0.0027 mg/kg for SWH, while for Nsukka abattoir, copper concentrations of hides were 0.0254 ± 0.0035 mg/kg for SH, 0.0166 ± 0.0029 mg/kg for USH and 0.0201 ± 0.0022 for SWH. Concentrations of lead, cadmium and copper were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the singed hide when compared to un-singed hide. The heavy metal concentrations were relatively higher in dry than wet season. However, the concentration of lead, cadmium and copper recorded in SH, SWH and the majority of USH of the slaughtered cattle from the abattoirs in Nsukka and Enugu were below the maximum permissible level recommended by the World Health Organization and European Commission (0.1 mg/kg, 0.05 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg for lead, cadmium and copper, respectively).

Keywords: Heavy metals; Lead; Cadmium; Copper; Cattle hides; Singeing; Abattoir, Enugu State Nigeria.

How to cite this article:
Obioha FC, Anaga AO and Nwanta JA (2024). Evaluation of the concentration of some heavy metals in cattle hides singed in
Enugu and Nsukka abattoirs, Enugu State, Nigeria. Journal of Veterinary and Applied Sciences, 14(2): 668 – 676.

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