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Determination of Heavy Metal Contents in Frequently Consumed Fast Foods of Bangladesh

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Abstract

In Bangladesh, the poultry products are now severely contaminated with toxic heavy metals from different means including natural and man-made pollutions. Interestingly, poultry-based fast foods, which have a quicker preparation time, low price, good taste and easy availability, are very famous among people of all ages. Therefore, burger, sandwich, samosa, shingara, sauce, and noodles were analyzed for the detection of Lead (Pb), Chromium (Cr), Cadmium (Cd), Arsenic (As) and Nickel (Ni) by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. It has been found that chicken burger contains the highest concentration of Pb (1.14 mg/kg fresh weight), Ni (0.31 mg/kg fw), and As (0.28 mg/kg fw). On the other hand, the highest concentration of Cr (0.101 mg/kg fw) and Cd (0.04 mg/kg fw) was found in the sauce. Unfortunately, all the examined foods contained the heavy metals to an extent that crosses the safety level for human consumption set by different international public health agencies like WHO. Moreover, evaluation of poultry feeds showed high amounts of Pb (range 1.40–6.59 mg/kg fw), which exceeds the safety level set by WHO (0.5 mg/kg). When Pb containing poultry feed was supplied to the chicks and sacrificed after 6 months, Pb was found in all the tissues examined that cross the safety limit. Afterwards, burgers were made from these chickens and high amount of Pb was observed in those burgers too. All these results showed that heavy metals from different sources could make access to the human food chain and impose an immense health risk.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Dhaka; Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, and University Grants Commission, Bangladesh for their instrumental and chemical support throughout the study.

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Author notes

  1. Md. Nazmul Haque and M. M. Towhidul Islam are co-first authors of the manuscript: both authors contributed equally.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh

    Md. Nazmul Haque, M. M. Towhidul Islam & Hossain Uddin Shekhar

  2. Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh

    Md. Tariqul Hassan

Authors
  1. Md. Nazmul Haque
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  2. M. M. Towhidul Islam
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  3. Md. Tariqul Hassan
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  4. Hossain Uddin Shekhar
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Correspondence to Hossain Uddin Shekhar.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest to publish this manuscript.

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Significance statement

Heavy metals from different industrial sources can contaminate the common ingredient of fast foods, like chicken flesh or liver. Ultimately, these heavy metals may transfer to human and can cause toxicity in the long run.

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Nazmul Haque, M., Towhidul Islam, M.M., Tariqul Hassan, M. et al. Determination of Heavy Metal Contents in Frequently Consumed Fast Foods of Bangladesh. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., India, Sect. B Biol. Sci. 89, 543–549 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40011-018-0968-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40011-018-0968-y

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