Application of inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry for trace element characterisation of equine meats

ABSTRACT

A validated and accredited analytical method of inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry was used to determine the levels of 22 trace elements in 52 equine meat samples collected during 2015. Greater amounts of Zn, Fe, and Ca were found with mean values of over 25 µg g⁻¹. Levels of non-essential trace elements, that is, Pb, Cd, Hg, and As, were generally low (mean values lower than 11.3 ng g⁻¹). Equine gender and geographic origin of meats (Italy and Poland) were compared, with no significant differences being found, whereas equine meats could be differentiated from bovine through a multivariate approach. As regards trace element accumulation, evaluated considering slaughter age, Zn, Fe, Ca, and Cr showed greater increase. Finally, a good correlation was obtained between two pairs of trace elements, Zn/Fe (r = 0.82) and Ca/Fe (r = 0.87).

KEYWORDS:

• Trace elements
• Heavy metals
• ICP-MS
• Meat products
• Food safety
• Chemical composition
• Nutritional aspects

Declaration of interest

The authors Oto Miedico, Marco Iammarino, Marina Tarallo, and A. Eugenio Chiaravalle certify that they have not a financial or personal relationship with other people or organizations that could inappropriately influence or bias this paper.

Funding

The authors thank the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata (Foggia, Italy) for providing financial support. Italian Ministry of Health (Rome, Italy) is gratefully acknowledged for the financing of Research Project code GR-2013-02358862.

Additional information

Funding

The authors thank the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata (Foggia, Italy) for providing financial support. Italian Ministry of Health (Rome, Italy) is gratefully acknowledged for the financing of Research Project code GR-2013-02358862.