The Determination of Dioxin and Dioxin-like Compound Levels in Beef and Chicken Meat Samples Consumed in Turkey

Abstract

The polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polyclorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyles (PCBs) residues in beef and chicken samples obtained from the different cities of Turkey were investigated. For this purpose, 120 beef and 120 chicken samples collected from different regions of Turkey between February 2006 and May 2008 and analyzed for dioxin and dioxin like compounds. The results showed that the mean levels of PCDD/Fs in lower bound of toxic equivalent concentrations (TEQ) were 2.83 and 3.17 pg TEQ/g fat for beef and chicken, respectively and in upper bound were 3.45 and 4.21 pg TEQ/g fat for beef and chicken, respectively. PCDDs were more dominant congeners according to PCDFs in both beef and chicken. Furthermore, the concentration of PCB congeners in lower bound were found 0.0108 and 0.0085 pg TEQ/g fat in order of beef and chicken, respectively and in upper bound were determined 0.0572 and 0.0595 pg TEQ/g fat in beef and chicken, respectively. According to the obtained findings, on a lipid basis, levels of dioxins in beef and chicken were slightly higher than other countries and World Health Organization (WHO) limits. However, mean values of PCBs were lower than the other countries at all samples. In conclusion, the findings of this study showed that the TEQ levels of PCDD/Fs are slightly higher in beef and chicken samples consumed in Turkey and long-term consumption of these foods may cause health risk for human and animals.