Elemental Composition of Muscle Tissue of Wild Animals from Central Region of Poland

Abstract

In the paper, the contents of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe),<br />manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), aluminium (Al), and nickel (Ni) were determined<br />in the meat of roe deers, wild boars, and hares coming from central region of Poland. Measurements were<br />carried out using atomic absorption spectrometry. The ranges of median values found for the concentration of elements were as follows: 89 – 121 (Ca), 235 – 241 (Mg), 19.2 – 28.6 (Zn), 0.93 – 2.07 (Cu), 26.3 – 39.1 (Fe), 0.10 – 0.38 (Mn), 0.04 – 0.31 (Cr), 0.07 – 0.48 (Pb), 0.004 – 0.010 (Cd), 0.31 – 1.26 (Al), and 0.05 – 0.13 (Ni) ìg/g, respectively. We stated that the concentrations of Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, and Mn were comparable to their amounts in meat of farm animals. The smallest amounts of hazardous elements, except for Al, were determined in meat of hares, and the highest ones in roe deer meat. Moreover, a large variability in Cr, Pb, and Ni content was found. Generally, there were no significant correlations between the concentration of elements in the meat of wild animals and their age and weight, but some statistically significant and strong correlations between concentrations of elements were stated. Moreover, significant positive correlations were found to exist for the content of Fe and Mn in muscle tissue and liver of hares.