Gamma-ray spectrometric analysis of radionuclides in chicken feeds, meat and bones from selected suppliers in Kampala, Uganda

Abstract

Demand for organic and inorganic chicken feeds that enhance faster growth to supply the meat market in Kampala is heightening every year. Competition in chicken business raises concerns on chicken feeds and meat quality as well as cancer and other biological effects of radiation to consumers of chicken products. This study aimed at determining the specific activity concentrations of Ra-226, Th-232, and K-40 in chicken feeds, meat and bones supplied in Kampala, and assessing their risk. A total of 18 broiler and 18 kroiler samples for feeds, meat and bones were collected from Kampala, based on purposive sampling, and analyzed by γ-spectrometry method using NaI(TI) detector coupled with a pre-amplifier base to a multiple channel analyzer that interfaced with MAESTRO-32 MCA emulation software.

The results obtained show that kroiler samples have higher activity concentrations than broilers. All samples have safe activity concentration levels of Ra-226. With exception of broiler feeds, all the other samples have activity concentrations of Th-232 above the world limit. Only broiler and kroiler meat activities of K-40 are above the world limit of 400 Bq/kg . The highest average activity concentrations of Ra-226, Th-232 and K-40 are obtained i.e. 4.4, 33.9 and 378.7 Bq/kg for broiler feeds, kroiler feeds and broiler feeds, respectively. Kroiler meat have the highest average activity concentrations of Ra-226, Th-232 and K-40 at 7.2, 47.4 and 457.4 Bq/kg , respectively. More than kroiler bones, broiler bone samples have highest average activity concentrations of Ra-226, Th-232 and K-40 at 6.4, 32.4 and 413.2 Bq/kg, respectively.

With exception of broiler and kroiler meat for excess life time cancer risk, all the other radiological risk parameters pose no health risk to consumers of chicken products. This suggests a need to reduce chicken meat consumption as one advances in age. Food safety bodies in Uganda as well as the Uganda National Animal Feeds Policy should do regular radionuclide check-ups in chicken feeds and products because of the heightened activity levels of Th-232 and K-40. In addition, chicken feed manufacturers and suppliers, farmers and consumers of kroilers need to be more cautious on better food safety measures.