Research on Heavy Metal Content of Fattening and Dairy Feeds

Heavy metal pollution for the world is reaching more alarming dimensions every day. Soil, water and air are polluted due to industrial developments, industrial wastes and heavy metals are included in the food chain through crop production and pose a risk to all living things. Feed is one of the most important links in this chain. In this study, 25 feed samples, including 18 fattening feeds and 7 dairy feeds, which were on commercial sale in different provinces in Türkiye in 2023, were obtained and As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni and Pb concentrations were determined. As content varied between 0.00-0.06 mg kg-1, Cd content ≤0.01 mg kg-1, Cr content 0.00-0.74 mg kg-1, Cu content 2.29-30.79 mg kg-1, Fe content 13.16-43.99 mg kg-1, Ni content 0.39-1.88 mg kg-1 and Pb metal was not detected. None of the heavy metal concentrations exceeded the permissible limit values. Although Fe and Cu concentrations did not exceed the permissible limit values, they were found to be even lower than the recommended amounts in feeds. No heavy metal contamination was found in the 25 feed samples examined, but it would be appropriate to check the heavy metal levels of feeds at regular intervals due to the rapid increase in environmental pollution and the risk of contamination of crop production and the food chain, particularly in regions where traditional fodder cultivation is constrained.