Selected Minerals in Meat of Cattle Grazing in Mine Revegetation Areas and Safe Consumption for Human

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate availability of essential heavy metals in meat and organs of cattles that are grazing in mine revegetation areas. The concentration of Cu, Fe, Zn, Cr, and Ni were determined in muscle (Longissimus dorsi and Bicep femoris), heart, liver, lungs, spleen, kidneys, bones, blood, grasses and water. The heavy metal content was analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). Some essential heavy metal (Fe, Cr and Ni) were found in large amount in the grasses consumed by livestock in mine revegetation areas. There were no essential heavy metals exceeding the threshold found in meat and organs of cattles in mine revegetation areas as well as outside of the mining area. Based on the content of Fe in meat, liver and heart, an adult weighing 70 kg is recommended to consume meat no more than 4.46 kg / day, 0.78 kg per a day of beef liver and beef heart 1.37 Kg per a day.

Keywords: Essential Heavy Metal, meat, mine revegetation areas.