ICP-OES analysis of some nonessential trace elements in hen's eggs

Abstract EN

Eight trace elements (Al, V, Ni, As, Ba, Cd, Pb, and Hg) were quantitatively studies in three kinds of hen egg samples (home, street, and market hen eggs) collected from different regions in Aden city-Yemen including Al-Buraiqeh, Al-Hiswah, Khormaksar, and Shaikh Othman.

Samples were wet digested and quantitatively analyzed by the Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES) technique.

Neglecting not detected values (ND), the range concentrations (in ppm units) of elements in hen’s eggs were in the range 0.407-7.414 for Al, 0.116-0.645 for V, 0.320-3.130 for Ni, 14.35-21.21 for As, 0.180-4.700 for Cd, 1.372-4.054 for Ba, and 12.078-15.14 for Pb.

Since Yemen country does not screen the explored elements in this foodstuff, the recent work was done by comparing the results with other values reported in the literature and international standards.

The mean concentrations of some studied elements such as arsenic, cadmium, and lead in some samples were exceeded the acceptable limits as detailed by presented international specifications and standards.

The systematic national testing of hen's eggs production and the quality of environment and hen's feeds should be considered to protect public health.