RISK ASSESSMENT OF CHROMIUM LEVELS IN BROILER FEEDS AND MEATS FROM SELECTED FARMS OF BANGLADESH

Abstract

   The present study was conducted to evaluate the status of chromium concentration in broiler feeds with the risk assessment of chromium in broiler meat. Seven broiler farms were selected to collect the feed and meat samples of broiler. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) was used to determine the chromium concentration in broiler feed and meat samples. The highest concentration of chromium in broiler meat samples was 1.31±0.20 ?g/g and in feed samples was 1.71±0.24?g/g. In this study, the mean (± SE) concentration of chromium in feed samples from Gazipur Sadar, Gazipur; Sreepur, Gazipur and Tangail Sadar, Tangail were 1.71(± 0.24) ?g/g,1.64(±0.61) ?g/g and 1.64(±0.61) ?g/g respectively. The mean (± SE) concentration of chromium in meat samples from Gazipur Sadar, Gazipur; Sreepur, Gazipur and Tangail Sadar, Tangail were 1.139 (±0.26) ?g/g, 1.31 (±0.20) ?g/g and 0.61 (±0.23) ?g/g respectively. The concentrations of chromium in broiler edible tissues were much higher than permissible levels determined by FAO and WHO. Precocious steps must be taken to avoid use of such health hazardous concentrations of heavy metals in poultry feeds. Considering these findings, there is a critical need to set legal limits and surveillance system for detection of heavy metals in poultry industry of Bangladesh.