Determination of Some Heavy Elements Residues in Some Organs of Migratory Quail in Relation to Public Health

The quantity of mineral nutrients in diet should be balanced to promote optimum response in humans' metabolism and the contamination with heavy metals must be monitored, in order to provide safety foodstuff for consumers. Organ meat is a good source of protein, and some organs, notably the liver and kidney, are rich in vital minerals. This study is focused on determination of ten heavy metals concentrations in the selected tissues and organs of migratory quails or common quail (European and East Asian populations of quail (Coturnix coturnix) which captured from different sites in the study area (North Western Coast, Egypt). The samples of liver, kidney and muscles (chest & leg) were analyzed for the presence of aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn) chromium (Cr), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), lead (pb) and strontium (Sr) by using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS). The results showed that essential elements occur in high levels compared to the non-essential elements in the tissues of these migratory birds. Meanwhile, kidney is the tissue which has the highest level of most metals followed by liver and heart, the highest concentration of Cu was observed in liver samples. Also, liver was found to have gathered higher metal concentrations than muscle in the birds. The concentrations (mg/kg wet weight) of heavy elements in the selected studied organs are varied quietly such as, Al (48.61 - 395.9), Cu (2.84 - 6.64), Fe (162.3 - 882.7), Mn (2.18 - 12.2) and Zn (8.11- 25.5). The order of the levels of these trace elements obtained from the four different quail organs is Fe greater than Al greater than Zn greater than Mn greater than Cu. On the other hand the concentrations (mg/kg wet weight) were, Cr (2.45-14.51), Sr (1.97-8.65), Pb (1.06-6.17), Ni (0.84-5.42) and Mo (0.23-1.48). Also the order of the levels of these trace elements is Cr greater than Sr greater than Pb greater than Ni greater than Mo. The highest concentrations of aluminum, iron, manganese and zinc were detected in kidney samples followed by liver and heart samples, while the minimum values of the same elements were recorded in chest muscles. Moreover, correlations between metals concentrations were done and the results were compared to recommended limits for human consumption.