Assessment of the Levels of Potentially Toxic Metals in Selected Poultry Feeds Sold in Makurdi Metropolis, Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

Ande S, Obolo I, Aondo T, Aloko, JL and Amaechi J

Eight (8) selected poultry feed samples from four (4) different brands namely; Hybrid, Chikun, Amo Byng and Vital were purchased from Makurdi Metropolis. The samples (HS, HF, CS, CF, ABS, ABF, VS and VF) denote Hybrid starter, Hybrid finisher, Chikun Starter, Chickun Finisher, Amo Byng Starter, Amo Byng Finisher, Vital Starter and Vital Finisher respectively. Toxic metals content was determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry and expressed in mg/kg. The results showed that Cd was only present in CF (0.80). Chromium was found only in ABS (15.4) and ABF (34.9). The concentration of Cu in (HS, HF, CS, CF, ABS, ABF, VS and VF) was 10.3, 15.0, 24.7, 27.9, 6.90, 9.70, 4.70 and 5.20 respectively. The concentration of Fe in (HS, HF, CS, CF, ABS, ABF, VS and VF) was 338,378, 307, 273, 389, 289, 398 and 405 respectively. The concentrations of Mn in (HS, HF, CS, CF, ABS, ABF, VS and VF) were 103, 95.3, 110, 97.4, 94.0, 103, 25.8 and 77.9 respectively. Lead was not detected in all the samples. The concentrations of Zn in (HS, HF, CS, CF, ABS, ABF, VS and VF) were 78.6, 75.1, 156, 177, 100, 67.2, 5.1 and 96.5 respectively. Copper, Fe, Mn, and Zn were the most abundant toxic metals found in the poultry feed samples. Lead was generally below the allowable limit. Chromium in ABS and ABF was higher than the permissible level. The concentrations of Fe, Mn and Zn in all the feeds were found to be above the limits. Copper found in ABS, ABF, VS and VF was within the limits permitted but levels in CS and CF were far above the limit. The concentrations of most of the trace elements were found to be higher than recommended levels which may pose some environmental and health risk if not properly regulated.

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