Lipid Profiles and Metal Levels Assessment in Chicken Meat Sold in Benin, Nigeria: Implications for Public Health

The Poultry sector is an evolving agroindustry that has globally increased its reputation as one of the most rapidly expanding agricultural sector. Further, chicken meat wider acceptance translates to an increased demand. Thus, constant assessment to ensure the toxicological and safety profile of chicken meat has become imperative. The study locations of this study include major open markets located in the capital city (Benin City) of Edo State designated as market A, B, C, and D respectively. A total twenty-five samples were collected, distinctly sealed in a polyethtlene bags which was pre-treated and analysed following standard protocols. All reagents used for analysis were of analytical grade. The result revealed that the chicken meat sample sourced from a local farm had a significantly p<0.05 higher level of the HDL-C (21.67±1.53) in comparison to the imported frozen chicken meat samples sourced from the various markets as follows; market A (15.33±1.15), B (12.00±2.00), C (15.33±1.53) and D (12.00±1.73) respectively. As per the other parameters of lipid profile including LDL-C, TC, and TG, and lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde) the levels of these parameters was significantly p<0.05 lower in the chicken meat from the local farm. Metal analysis of the samples revealed that the chicken meat sample from the local farm significantly had the lowest concentration of cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr) while the highest concentration was noted for the sample from market B (2.767±0.208) and market A (0.087±0.006) for Co and Cr respectively. No significant difference was noted between the samples for the iron and copper concentration however samples for market B had the highest levels of iron 17±1.73 and copper 8.33±1.15. In terms of the permissible limits, the metals were found to be within acceptable ranges in all the sample. Further, a risk assessment profile showed that hazard index (HI) was found to be less than 1 in all the samples which suggest that the chicken meat sold in major markets of Benin city metropolitan poses no public health concern.