“Comparative Evaluation of Heavy Metals Levels in Feeds, Milk and Urine of Camels at Giade Local Government Area, Bauchi State, Nigeriaâ€

The aim of this study was carried out comparative evaluation of the levels of heavy metals in feed, milk and urine of camels at Giade Local government area of Bauchi State, Nigeria. A total of 15 samples were collected during hand milking process of lactating female camel in a corral with bulk of camel feed from five different farms: Faguji farm, Goburawa farm, Isawa farm, Jahuri farm amd Uzum farm .The consumption of camel milk and urine is increasing due to its dietry and medicinal benefits.Concentration of nine heavy metals (As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The measured concentration of heavy metals were used to compute human health risk. The mean concentration of heavy metals in camel milk between the two extreme values spread (mg/dm3) from: As 0.004 (Faguji) to 0.092 (Goburawa), Cd 0.022 (Isawa) to 0.045 (Uzum), Cu 0.019 (Uzum) to 0.117 (Jahuri), Fe 0.0278 (Isawa) to 0.0533 (Jahuri), Hg 0.002 (Uzum) to 0.140 (Jahuri) Mn 0.004 (Isawa), to 0.027(Uzum), Ni 0.004 (Jahuri), to 0.020 (Goburawa), Pb 0.007 (Goburawa) to 0.023 (Isawa) and Zn 0.015 (Isawa) to 0.108 (Goburawa). The result of the analysis revealed that from all the farms. As, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn,Ni, Pb and Zn were within the desirable limit recommended by WHO (2007, 2012, 2017 and 2018) Whilst Hg ( Jahuri farm) are above the desirable limit recommended by WHO (2012 and 2018). For camel urine spread (mg/dm3) from: As 0.003 (Goburawa) to 0.055 (Uzum), Cd 0.002 (Jahuri,) to 0.008 (Faguji), Cu 0.002 (Jahuri) to 0.004 (Isawa), Fe 0.006 (Jahuri) to 0014 (Goburawa), Hg 0.002 (Isawa) to 0.008 (Uzum), Mn 0.003 (Isawa) to 0.040 (Uzum), Ni 0.001 (Faguji) to 0.005 (Jahuri), Pb 0.002 (Uzum) to 0.004 (Jahuri) and Zn 0.008 (Uzum) to 0.076 (Isawa). The result of the analysis revealed that all the element evaluated from urine in all farm were within desirable limit recommended by WHO (2014 and 2018). For camel feed Spread (mg/kg) from: As 0.019 (Uzum) to 0.220 ( Isawa), Cd, 0.054 (Jahuri) to 0.0200 (Uzum), Cu 0.515 (Jahuri) to 1.500 (Uzum), Fe 1.011 (Uzum) to 1.190 (Isawa), Hg 0.040 (Goburawa) to 0.081 (Isawa), Mn, 0.170 (Jahuri) to 1.030 (Isawa), Ni, 0.020 (Jahuri) to 0.060 (Goburawa), Pb, 0.023 (Faguji) to 0.080 (Isawa) and Zn 0.170 (Jahuri) to 3.66 (Isawa). The result of the analysis revealed that feed from all Farm, As, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Pb Ni and Zn were within the desirable limit recommended by WHO (2007and 2012) except Cd in all farm were above the permissible limit recommended by WHO (1999, 2010 and 2012).The experimental values were subjected to one way analysis of variance and the result showed that there was no statistical significant difference at 95 % confidence level therefore it is recommended that camel milk, urine and feed sources should be closely monitored to reduced heavy metals concentrations levels.