31DEC

Welcome To Mediterr J Med Res

Manuscripts are accepted for consideration with understanding that they are represent original material and they are not being considered for publication elsewhere. The editors welcome the submission of relevant articles for editorial consideration. Manuscripts and all scientific and professional data should be addressed to Editor-in-Cheif (Fmosherif@yahoo.com).

Mediterranean Journal of Medical Research
http://www.mjpe.periodikos.com.br/article/doi/10.5281/zenodo.17986261

Mediterranean Journal of Medical Research

Original article

Estimation of heavy metal concentrations in imported frozen meat sold in the Libyan market

Somia A. Altalib, Ali A. Ghania, Aiman A. Alazzabi

Downloads: 1
Views: 135

Abstract

Heavy metals are chemical elements with a toxic effect on human and animal bodies. The expansion of industries has led to substantial increases in the levels of these heavy metals in the environment. This study examines the levels of heavy metal contamination in imported frozen meat, given its importance for food safety and consumer health. A total of 30 meat samples  (including chicken, beef, lamb, and some processed products) were randomly collected from various commercial markets in Tripoli. Following acid digestion, concentrations of lead, cadmium, chromium, and copper were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. All samples complied with Libyan and International safety limits for  cadmium, chromium or copper, while only one sample (3.3%) exceeded the permissible limit for lead. Statistical analysis revealed no significant variation in lead, cadmium, or chromium concentrations across meat types, cuts, or countries of origin. Copper levels, however, varied significantly by meat type. These findings indicate the overall safety of imported meat products regarding heavy metal contamination, although continuous monitoring remains essential.

Keywords

Cadmium, chromium, food safety, heavy metal, lead, imported frozen meat

References

  1. Pereira PM, Vicente AF. Meat nutritional composition and nutritive role in the human diet. Meat Science. 2013; 93(3): 586-592. doi: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2012.09.018
  2. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. 2005; Country profile: Libyan Arab Jamahiriya (FAO Nutrition Country Profile- Food and Nutrition Division, FAO, 2005).
  3. Rbeida OA, Abuskhuna SM, Eteer SA, Jebril AO. Quality control of selected cosmetics marketed in Libya for traces of toxic heavy metals: urgent need  for guidelines harmonization. Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2023; 3(3): 1-8. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.8136836
  4. Mohammed AA, Ali AA, Mohammed SD, Alkarghli Y. Community response to genetically modified food products in Libya. Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2024; 4(2): 9-14.  doi: 10.5281/zenodo. 11111150
  5. Ahmed R, Md. Uddin  M, Hoque M. Nutraceuticals: Food-based therapeutics and health benefits. Mediterranean Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences. 2025; 1(1): 22-30. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.15771921
  6. Afzal A, Mahreen N. Emerging insights into the impacts of heavy metals exposure on health, reproductive and productive performance of livestock. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2024; 15: 1375137. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2024. 1375137
  7. Han JL, Pan XD, Chen Q. Distribution and safety assessment of heavy metals in fresh meat from Zhejiang, China. Scientific Reports. 2022; 12(1): 3241. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-07214-3
  8. Codex Alimentarius Commission. General standard for contaminants and toxins in food and feed (CXS 193-1995). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and World Health Organization. 1995. doi: 10.13140/ RG.2.1.4910.2560
  9. Salim SA, Sarraf OVN, Dana Z, Hashami Z, Afrah A, Sadeghi E, Bashiry M. A comprehensive image of environmental toxic heavy metals in red meat: A global systematic review and meta-analysis and risk assessment study. The Science of the Total Environment. 2023; 889: 164100. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164100
  10. Oladipo F, Abidoye R, Popoola YB. Assessment of heavy metals in processed meat (Tinko) sold within Igbesa community. Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences. 2022; 4(2): 11-14. doi: Nil.
  11. World Health Organization. Copper. In: Evaluations of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) Database. 2021. WHO report: TRS 683-JECFA 26/31.
  12. Mohamed NH, Yahya G, El Bayoumi RM, Hussein MAM, Cavalu S, Dahshan H, et al. Detection and health risk assessment of toxic heavy metals in chilled and frozen meat collected from Sharkia province in Egypt. Open Veterinary Journal. 2023; 13(12): 1729-1737. doi: 10.5455/OVJ.2023.v13.i12.21
  13. Mohammed MY, Khatab HS, Mohammed MY. Estimation of heavy metal contents (Cr, Fe, Cu, Pb, & Cd) in meat products imported in Al-Marj city Libya. Afaq Journal for Human and Applied Studies. 2025; 3: 307-311. doi: 10.37376/ajhas.vi3.7255
  14. Omirzakov ОМ, Krivets VV, Berdikulov MA, Kuanysh AE, Omarova AS, Dyussembayev KA. Analysis of heavy metal content in domestic and imported poultry meat. Herald of Science of Seifullin Kazakh Agro Technical Research University. Veterinary Sciences. 2024; 3(007): 61-69. doi: 10.51452/kazatuvc.2024.3(007).1753
  15. Hassanin F, Hassan MA, Mohmoud AM, Mohamed E. Heavy metal residue in some chicken meat products. Benha Veterinary Medical Journal. 2014; 27(2): 256-263. doi: Nil.
  16. Martone N, Rahman GM, Pamuku M, Kingston HM. Determination of chromium species in dietary supplements using speciated isotope dilution mass spectrometry with mass balance. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2013; 61(41): 9966-9976. doi: 10.1021/jf403067c
  17. Obeid PJ, Saliba C, Younis M, Aouad S, El-Nakat J. Comparative analysis of lead and cadmium levels in various brands of canned and processed meat products in Lebanon. WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment. 2013; 170: 135-146. doi: 10.2495/FENV130131
  18. Abd-Allah SH, Zaky ZM. Levels of lead and cadmium in some meat-products sold in Assiut city, Egypt. Assiut Veterinary Medical Journal. 2011; 57(131): 1-15. doi: 10.21608/avmj.2011.176916
  19. Yakupa NY, Sabowa AB, Saleha SJ, Mohammed GR. Assessment of heavy metal in imported red meat available in the markets of Erbil city. Journal of University of Babylon for Pure and Applied Sciences. 2018; 26(6), 177-183. doi: Nil.
  20. Hassan S, Youssef M, Lamin U. Determination of some heavy elements(Fe, Cu, Zn) in local and imported chicken using photometer 7100. PhD Thesis. Sabha University, 2019. doi: 10.25271/sjuoz.2019.7.4.621

Submitted date:
09/20/2025

Reviewed date:
12/02/2025

Accepted date:
12/15/2025

6945231aa9539522d2231252 mjpe Articles
Links & Downloads

Mediterr J Med Res

Share this page
Page Sections