The analysis of correlations between the age and the level of bioaccumulation of heavy metals in tissues and the chemical composition of sheep meat from the region in SE Poland

The aim of the research was to determine the level of accumulation of selected heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Hg, As) in meat and liver of sheep. The animals were divided into adequate age groups which allowed the analysis of statistical-mathematical correlations between the age of the animals and contamination of meat. Moreover there was determined the chemical composition of meat of animals of particular age groups. The research material for determining the content of heavy metals was taken from the longissimus muscle of back (m. longissimus dorsi), and samples of liver from the tail lobe. The analysis carried out results allows stating that together with age of sheep there decreases the content of water in meat and the content of protein, fat and ash increases. The contamination of meat and liver of sheep by Cd and Pb apparently depends on age of these animals. But there was a several times difference between the youngest and the oldest animals in the level of contamination of these tissues was. In muscles and in the liver of tested animals there was not stated the presence of arsenic over 0.001 mg/kg. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.