Heavy metals assessment in camel meat, beef and mutton through atomic absorption spectrophotometer in Quetta

This study examined the occurrence of heavy metals in meat specimens collected from Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan, to ensure food safety and provide region-specific dietary information.Employing an atomic absorption spectrophotometer, researchers measured the accumulation of nickel, copper, iron, and cadmium in camel meat, mutton, and beef specimens.Findings indicated that nickel levels fell within acceptable limits across all meat types, with lower concentrations observed in camel meat and higher concentrations in mutton.Copper and iron levels also remained within permissible limits, consistent with their vital roles in human health.Cadmium was either undetectable or present in trace amounts, well below established safety thresholds.Overall, the heavy metal concentrations in specimen of muscles were deemed safe for consumption, aligning with the World Health Organization's guidelines.Recommended dietary allowance (RDA) values for essential minerals are: 8 mg/AI for Fe, 0.9 mg/AI for Cu, and 0.06 mg/AI for Cd.Notably, there is no established RDA value for nickel.Future research could involve comparative studies, and health impact assessments to further understand heavy metal accumulation and its potential effects.This research contributes to public health protection, informs consumer choices, advances scientific knowledge, and can inform policy decisions regarding food safety and environmental protection.