Measurement of cadmium residues in muscle, liver and kidney of cattle slaughtered in Isfahan abattoir using grafite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS): a preliminary study

The aim of the present study was to determine the levels of cadmium in the muscle, liver and kidney of cattle from Isfahan and to compare the results with those reported by other countries and with the maximum acceptable levels for human consumption. Samples of muscle, liver and kidney from 60 animals aged 1–10-year-old were collected from the carcasses slaughtered at Isfahan abattoir. Samples were digested with acid and cadmium concentrations were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry (GFAAS). The mean concentrations of cadmium in muscle, liver and kidney were 3.3, 49.7 and 137.1 µg/kg fresh weight, respectively. The mean concentration of cadmium in tissue samples was generally lower than the maximum acceptable concentration in European Commission (EC). Statistical analysis showed a significant difference in cadmium concentration of liver and kidney between various age groups (P<0.05).