Abstract

In this study, the levels of heavy metals (Cr, Cd, Co, Pb, Cu, Ni, Fe, Zn, Mg and Mn) were determined in canned beef and four different chicken luncheon from Sulaymaniah markets using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Significant difference was observed in the chromium (Cr) content among the corned beef brands, while there was no-significant difference in Cr content in the all chicken luncheon trademarks. The results of cobalt (Co) for A, B, C and D were (0.03, 0.04, 0.04 and 0.08 μg/gm, respectively). Co concentration for Gadeer, F, G and H were 0.00, 0.03, 0.04 and 0.04 μg/gm, respectively. Lead (Pb) and copper (Cu) were significantly different among all trademarks. Manganese (Mn) and nickel (Ni) were not found in any of the corned beef and chicken luncheon trademarks. The iron (Fe) content for the corned beef trademarks was 1.43, 5.41, 3 and 4.4 μg/gm) for A, B, C and D respectively. The results also reveal that there was a significant difference in Fe content between chicken luncheon trademarks. B and C contained a high concentration of Zn while A and D had low concentration of Zn. Furthermore, the F trademark was significantly higher in Zn concentration than G trademark, which showed significantly lower concentration of Zn.

Key words: Canned beef, chicken luncheon and heavy metals determination.